Singin' and Sewin'

The fabric overfloweth.

After cleaning out my studio,

PAINFULLY
organizing hundreds of yards of fabric by color,
I came to a conclusion.
Time to destash!
A couple months ago I opened a second shop called
"Do Re Mi Fa SEW".It is full of appliques,
fabric packs, fleece packs,and smaller amounts of beautiful fabrics -
perfect for the DIY seamstress.
I just recently added some of my own original appliques.
You'll find skulls,
cupcakes, and more cupcakes.Of course I HAD to make one for my itty bitty,
my sweet little cupcake,
my little puffalump.
All I needed was my vivacious toddler,
a couple M&M's for bribing purposes,
and my camera.They will soon be available on tees with matching skirts in my clothing shop-
HALF-PINT CREATIONS,
just in time for spring and summer.
Throw on a pair of sandals,
add a boutique hair bow,
and turn your little one loose.
I have added lots of Spring florals to my newly cleaned studio,
so keep an eye out for some yummy new
Averi Swing dresses in bright bold florals. Something NEW FOR SPRING-
matching hair deliciousness!
Happy Creating!

Playing with the Angels

My heart is hurting.

This precious little one has touched so many people in her short little life.
Including myself.
I am sure that she is dancing with Papa Jesus, giggling and laughing, free of pain. Her wonderful Mama and Daddy have treasured every second with their precious baby girl. They have shown us amazing faith, even when they have crumbled.

My husband and I have been following her
and reading up on the condition that took her life early this morning, neuroblastoma.
We have been reading the family blog,
and checking in with twitter several times a day to see changes in her condition.
We rejoiced at her triumphs and cried with her setbacks.We have felt as though her Mommy and Daddy
have allowed their precious baby girl to teach us,
to remind us of what is important in this life.
She has reminded us how important it is to draw strength and love from our Father God-
even when we are angry and don't understand.
Even when it just is'nt fair.

We want to thank you, Marsh family, for sharing your lives with us.
Dear family, we are praying for your strength, for your peace, and for your beautiful daughters.
May God give you peace and rest in knowing that your baby girl changed our lives, changed hearts, and changed souls forever.

Enjoy playing with the Angels sweet Layla Grace.
11/26/2007 - 3/9/2010

Comfort Food -Potatoes and cheese style

I have always been one of those people that seek comfort and warmth in food.

Good food reminds me of family-
the warmth of being with my family as a little girl and smelling the wonderful scents coming from my grandmother's kitchen.
I am currently fighting with a bout of laryngitis-
sore throat, coughing, runny nose, and all the extras.
The thought of a warm creamy bowl of Loaded Baked Potato soup
is just what the doc ordered.I wish I could say that this soup is low calorie,
it's not.
It's not low fat, low cholesterol, or low carb.
It is rich and yummy and meant to be enjoyed-
savored under a blankie with a good book.
You'll need: 2 small cans of Chicken broth
(I use low sodium)
1 small can of cheddar cheese soup
4 cups water
2 cups milk
1 LARGE can of sliced potatoes
1 pouch of REAL bacon bits-
bacos just aren't the same (I use low-fat)
1 box instant mashed potatoes
(2 packets- experiment with different flavors-
sour cream and chives rock!)
fresh chives (optional)
1/2 bag of frozen chopped broccoli
(fresh if you are so inclined)
sour cream and cheddar cheese to top it offThis makes A LOT of soup, so start with your biggest stew pot.
Combine your chicken broth, cheddar cheese soup,
4 cups of water, and 2 cups of milk.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer and slowly add your potato flakes.
It will act as a thickener.
Mix them in a little at a time until dissolved.
If it becomes too thick for your taste, simply add milk until you get the consistency you want.
Mix in the chopped broccoli, sliced potatoes, bacon, and chives.
Let it simmer until the smell fills up the whole house and has you slobbering in anticipation.
The longer it sits, the yummier it tastes.
Top with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and bacon bits.
Enjoy!
Let me know what you think,
because I am heading to the kitchen for a great big bowl right now!

An Imperfect Heart for my Funny Valentine

The snow abounds.
There is more coming, or so the weather man says.
The light of a new day is beginning to shine through the icicles hanging from our front porch.
The fire is crackling in the fire place, and my mug is full of warm coffee.
I can hear little feet rustling around and the squeak of the bedroom door. My Funny Valentine slowly makes her way down the stairs, puppy in hand, crawls up into my lap, and lays her head on my shoulder.
I kiss her head and breathe her in.
It's times like these that make me love her so much I can barely breathe.
She turns, looks into my eyes, holds my face in her pudgy little toddler hands and says, "Mommy, can I have pancakes?".
Pancakes? Little girl I would give you the world.
Pancakes are definitely something I can handle.

We venture into the kitchen and mix up a batch of the prettiest pancakes you have ever seen.

I use Bisquick- I am NOT Betty Crocker. We add a little red food coloring to make things extra magical, because only princesses can eat pink pancakes. I tell her they are her Valentine pancakes, and proceed to make them heart shaped.
Yeah, ok, more blob shaped.
The look on her face was one of awe.
They were pink.
They were semi-heart shaped.
They were made for her- with all the love I could muster.
She looks up at me with her big hazel eyes and says,
"Thanks Mama! They are the best pancakes in the world!"
First of all, she called me Mama- melts me every time.
Secondly, it made me take a step back and think for a moment.
They were the most imperfect heart pancakes ever made. Yet my baby girl knew she was loved, and that I loved making them for her.
Sometimes as parents we think that things have to be perfect. We try so hard to give them what we did'nt have, or work so many hours in a day that they don't get the best of us, they get what is left of us.

As simple as this pink breakfast seemed,
I was reminded of the importance of life's simple things.
Simple joys.
Simple Pleasures.
The importance of my time and a little effort. They are little for such a short time.
Happy Valentine's Day, my Funny Valentine!
Love,
Mama

Ahh..Sweet Comfort Food

The winds are howling, the snow is passing the 24" mark, and the best place to be is home in bed with your head under the covers. You close your eyes and roll over, soaking in the delish feeling of the warm blankets, knowing that you could'nt go anywhere, even if you wanted to. As you are falling back to sleep, wonderful aromas come drifting your way. They are enticing you to climb out of bed and explore the heavenly scents that are beckoning you from the kitchen. Mmmm....fresh coffee and something sweet and warm baking on the stove.Let me share with you the wonder and deliciousness that is LipSmackinCreations! The tastes and aromas coming from her kitchen are always enough to take your breath away and keep you coming back for more. With many new pancake mixes, cookies, and bake mixes, you are sure to find many items to entice your taste buds. Her customers have come back again and again for that home baked goodness with the ease of a mix. I have baked more of her items than I can possibly count, and I swear each one is my favorite- until I try the next. I have seasoned my beef, chicken breasts, and noodles with her spice mixes and convinced my two year old that her "Grammy Bea's" sweet sprinkles are a magical toast topping that only princesses are allowed to eat.
The best thing about LipSmackinCreations is the sweet and vivacious owner. She treats all of her customers as if she is pouring them a cup of coffee and baking her tempting treats just for them in her own country kitchen. Her kitchen is always full of tempting aromas that make you want to sit and stay a while.
She has recently changed her packaging to save on the increase in shipping costs, and now offers her items wrapped in beautifully hand made boxes and fabric bags. They make a beautiful gift for a friend or a treat for yourself.The next time that the snow is falling, the rain is pouring, or the kids need some fun time with the people that love them, open your kitchen cabinet to find everything you need in one scrumptious bag from LipSmackinCreations. Stop by her Etsy shop for a vast array of tempting treats that will please even the littlest, pickiest eater. They will keep your lips smackin' for more!

The Drama Queen Diaries

"Would you PLEASE get your socks and shoes on! Would you PLEASE brush your teeth! Would you PLEASE brush your hair .....NOW!" Yes, it is the same as it was yesterday, and it will be the same tomorrow. We are running out the door to get to the bus stop 2 miles away... only to see the big yellow beast whizzing by before we get there. AAGGHH!!! My nerves are shot..yet again.
Mornings are rough. At times they drive me outright insane. But this, my dear friends is the daily struggle in the life of my child with ADHD. She forgets that we have to brush our hair every day. She can't organize her thoughts without a list. She gets overwhelmed, mouthy, and weepy. She is a handful. A beautiful, vivacious, and at times, downright difficult 10 year old with a whopping case of ADHD. Believe me, I will be hiding under the bed when the teen years come around. I am afraid, very afraid.
When I begged God for a baby, after two years of trying to get pregnant, I never imagined how wonderfully frightening, completely fulfilling, and amazingly difficult being a parent could be. When this big, pink, screaming baby was dropped in my arms, I thought, OK, what now? She continued to scream through 3 months of colic. What was I thinking? THIS is motherhood? Crazy. I must have been crazy.
That little one, who was 10 pounds and 5 ounces, now looks me in the eye, wears my clothes, and has surpassed my shoe size. That "little" girl has changed me. She has made me a woman- she has forced me to grow, as a believer, and as a mother. I watch her with her little sister. She loves her. Deeply. She adores her. I have never seen such unconditional love between sisters. It is almost as if my youngest is saying, "Yep, this is my crazy, rammy, beautiful sister, and I love her for who she is, and not what everyone thinks she should be". I need to take a lesson from that insightful toddler. My Elizabeth is my heart. Are there times when I want to pack her bags and ship her to Borneo? YES! Almost every day. Especially in the morning. On the other side of that golden coin is my 10 yr old baby girl; loving and giving, passionate and compassionate, driven and confident. When she loves you, she loves you deeply. Sometimes we need to step back and take a look at the big picture. We need to be thankful for our blessings, our trials, and for all of the things that make us who we are. Life can change on a dime. If I lost her tomorrow, would I have regrets? Yes, we all would. It is my job as her Momma to make that list of regrets as short as possible.
I spent a few days at the shore with my Grandmother for her birthday and to get a "Momma" break. I missed my girl, I truly missed her. She has the day off from school today, and I intend to have some fun with my whirlwind princess.
God, I thank you for my crazy beautiful life, with all of it's trials and tribulations, and for my children who own my heart. You are truly gracious. Help me to be a better Mama than I was yesterday, and an even better Mama tomorrow.

My addiction...

Yes, I am not ashamed to admit it...I have an addiction to luscious, beautiful, colorful fabric. It goes far beyond the edge of reason, I'm afraid. I have hundreds of yards of this delicacy, yet I always seem to need just a bit more. With a recent large order being paid for, I set out to find a new fabric store that carried all of MY favorite designers. I am a sucker for a beautiful Tina Givens creation, and just melt for Anna Maria Horner.
With my Spring designs jumping from the pages of my sketchbook, I started the web surfing- looking for the best prices for the fabric for my newest creations. Lately, I have preferred Etsy to ebay, because I can't seem to get the same customer service as I do with Etsy; however, I had the time to check it out, and started the ebay search. Lo and behold, I found an amazing store! Cotton Fabric Shop carries my favorite designers, has the best prices that I have found ANYWHERE, and has the most wonderful store owner- what a bonus! I got amazing customer service. As a business owner myself, it's the customer service that makes me return.
For those that share my addiction, please stop over to Cotton Fabric Shop and browse. I can guarantee, if you have a true addiction, you won't leave empty handed! Thank you so much Laura, I will be back. Often.
Have a wonderfully whimsical day =)