Winner

It pays to be first because number 1 is the winner of the peacock teacup. Congratulations Kristen :-)

Our 1st family photoshoot

Eighteen

1. If my world had to be all one color, it would be blue
2. My 6 month old doesn't take a bottle or sippy cup, never has
3. I was born in Wilmington, North Carolina
4. I have my bachelors degree in fashion and interior merchandising
5. I think everyone should send their kids to Liberty University in Lynchburg Virginia, it is just that great
6. I don't believe in centralized healthcare
7. I didn't vote for Obama, surprise surprise
8. I think the attention everyone has paid to Michael Jackson's death could have been better put to use by mourning the loss of all our soldiers who die everyday, and I bet they weren't child molesters
9. I love the late Dr. Jerry Falwell. He was a wonderful man of God.
10. I like to save the drama fo yo mama
11. I like to surround myself with supportive friends who act their age, not to say I don't ever act like a goofy 6 year old from time to time (okay, maybe all the time ;-))
12. I believe in breastfeeding, but I also believe in pacifiers
13. I would drink coffee all day if I could
14. I grew up on a 140+ acre tree farm
15. I like to dip my french fries in my frosty
16. My husband is the best :-)
17. I am so blessed to be able to be a stay at home mama. . . I love my sweet baby boy
18. I am a Christian, a believer in Christ, His death, burial and resurrection. You haven't experienced true joy until you accept Christ. . .He is that awesome! Ask me why :-)

Inspired

Oh, ya shouldn't have!

My talented mama mia surprised me with these two delightful pillows. They are hand felted and gorgeous dawling :-) I can't wait to bring them home with me!

Meet Rachel- Week #4 + Giveaway!

Everyone, meet Rachel! She is a funny, cute, crafty mama, expecting baby #2. Her blog is so inspiring. . .I am sure you will all enjoy her interview as much as I did!

1. Tell us a little bit about your family, business and hobbies.
My husband and I live in Springfield, Missouri with our three year old, Sebastian and are preparing to welcome little Ruby in early November! We have put together a fun, mix-n-match house full of thrifted and repurposed finds and try to get outside for little bits of each day while the mosquitoes are sleeping.

2. How do you include your family in your crafting fun?
I always try to find ways to let Sebastian join in when he shows interest in something crafty I'm doing. Whether that is getting out the paints for him to make something pretty for Mama while I supervise out of the corner of my eye, or help him build a tower out of those same paint tubes, I always try to let him feel welcome in the studio space and allowed to create something with me. My husband and son are both supportive and equally interested in our random trips to flea markets on the side of the highway and can usually find something to entertain themselves with while I scan the booths for things I must have. I let Sebastian take home little tractors or trains that he shows extra interest in as long as the price is manageable. He's learning how to enjoy things for a moment and then putting them back without a big fuss, which is quite mature of him since sometimes I can't manage that myself.

3. How has being a "crafty mama" enhanced you and your families lives?
I think it has made our daily atmosphere a little more colorful and eclectic and encourages thinking outside of the box. I hope to be able to pass along special family treasures to my kids in the form of handmade items that will always remind them of how much they are loved and teach them them to appreciate putting time and effort into gifts. Being able to learn from and enjoy the visual examples of other crafty mamas online has encouraged me to be more thoughtful and intentional in what experiences I offer my family and how to make our lives more rich.

4. What is your all-time favorite craft or project that you have made?
My very first large-ish quilt was started right before I found out I was pregnant with Sebastian and before I knew just how daunting of a task it would be to finish. I started with naive ambition and made a lot of mistakes along the way but still love how wildly colorful it is and the memories attached to it. In a similar way I was working on my first large-ish painting right before I found out I was pregnant with Ruby earlier this year and like to think whatever hormone cocktails were brewing in my body both times were causing me to want to make big, pretty things.
5. Do you have any tips for mama's who would like to get in on the creative fun but just can't seem to find the time or money?
There will always be more things you should be doing elsewhere which can make giving value to creative time feel like a selfish act but it is usually something that leaves you feeling enriched and inspired and can become a shared experience with your family. Planning ahead and communicating with everyone about what you'd like to do will help you protect that time and might even get them a little interested as well. Look for craft supplies such as yarn, fabric or wooden shapes that can be reused. Keep a list of supplies you need to make a project and collect them over time. There are tons of video tutorials on YouTube.com and crafty blogs that can help you start a new skill without spending money on a class. Often times local craft and quilting stores will offer inexpensive classes that leave you with a finished project at the end and a few new friends. Don't be scared to try something new and don't put it off until you have more time. Make some time.

6. What is your all-time favorite dessert?

Oooh, favorite healthy dessert is cold watermelon scooped straight from the melon. I keep one in our fridge at all times. I just cut off the top 1/3 to slice or scoop out into a tupper ware dish for easy storage and then I stick the large part open side up into a pyrex bowl and cover it with saran wrap. When I'm in the mood for something sweet, I just grab a spoon, take it out of the fridge and help myself! My husband doesn't like watermelon and my son doesn't mind double dipping so it's a fantastic set up.

My new favorite not as healthy dessert for summer time is cold rice pudding! I love it almost any time of day. I used to tutor two young Armenian boys a few times a week and their grandma would always be sending me home with Armenian treats. One day she gave me the best rice pudding I'd ever had and sent me home with a vague recipe. I've never been able to replicate it quite like she did but I still try!

Take care,

Rachel Denbow

http://blingonmysewingmachine.blogspot.com/

http://flickr.com/photos/denbow

http://ponyparty.etsy.com/

Giveaway #4

Paula and Percy Peacock Teacup

Leave a comment on Rachel's interview and make sure to leave your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you :-)

Winner will be chosen at random!

And the winner is. . .

ldcasey you won the onesie! Now I just need you to e-mail me your address because you forgot to leave your e-mail on your comment. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
New interview and giveaway tomorrow!

Meet me at the fair. . .

My family is in town visiting and today we are headed to the Kentucky State Fair! I am super excited :-) I hope that everyone has something fun to look forward to this weekend. See you guys on Monday!

Crafty Mama week 3 + 3rd Giveaway!

Amanda from My Giggly Monkey won the laundry detergent! Thanks everyone for your comments and thanks again Candace for showing us how fun it is to be a creative mommy. Today starts week 3 of Crafy Mama's Month!

Everyone, meet Rubyellen of mycakies:

Remember my birthday post about the magazine my mama gave me for my birthday? Well, this months magazine has our crafty mama, Rubyellen on the front! Be sure to check it out.
Rubyellen is the ultimate crafty mama. She has her own etsy shop where she makes adorable childrens items. She has two kiddos and one on the way. I hope you take the time to look at her shop and her beautiful blog!

Now onto the interview.

1. Tell us a little bit about your family, business and hobbies.
We are a little family of four, soon to be five, as my husband will be outnumbered 4 to 1. My husband, Ben, is a dietitian, therefore teaching our girls, True and Brave (yes, those are their real names), healthy eating habits is very important. My daughter True can happily eat bell peppers morning, noon, and night. We all love just being together and making memories together. We call our making memories and constant snapping of pictures, memory hunting, So I guess you can say we always go hunting together. My little cottage business is called Cakies . It is where I sell fun, felt accessories and crowns , as well as other items that I feel like making. These items are called once-in-awhiles . It is absolutely fantastic to have this outlet and to be able to share it and have others enjoy it. Creating is such an essential part of my life and I am just blessed that I have been able to have a little shop stem from it. On my free time, if/when I have it, I still like to create. I am also an avid reader, but reading for me is dangerous. Once I get a good book in my hands, I can't put it down, so everything in my household is thrown by the wayside. Therefore, I must always be strategic in when I decide to pick up a good book. It must always be a time when there is not much to do, but with two toddlers, how often does that happen?!!

2.How do you include your family in your crafting fun?
If I am embroidering, I will have True sit right by me and give her a plastic needle and hoop and let her embroider right beside me. Often times, I will ask her what toy she wants to make and then we will set off to make it. We have made bunnies, dolls, kitchen ware, etc., but best of all it is all homemade using things that we already have. We also have a family sketchbook that sits at our coffee table, so it is there right beside some colored pencils to encourage constant doodling in our house. You can find us all huddled around the large sketchbook, coloring and drawing away!

3. How has being a "crafty mama" enhanced you and your families lives?

For one, I think it saves a lot of money. We all learn to be resourceful and use our imagination. We rarely ever buy toys, but think of ways to make it. I think there is more of an appreciation for things when you have to go through the process of making it. Secondly, we all love thinking out of the box. It is fun and challenging, and it lends for nice surprises for any occasion. I will never forget what my husband did for this past Mother's Day . It was just hilarious and a perfect example of thinking out of the box.

4. What is your all-time favorite craft or project that you have made?

I recently made a giant dollhouse pillow for my daughter Brave. Now, that was a definite challenge, but so worth it at the end. Now, I am thinking about how I can make something similar, but different, for True.

5. Do you have any tips for mama's who would like to get in on the creative fun but just can't seem to find the time or money?
Money is not necessary to get creative. It is all about just using what you already have. If you have some old sheets or old clothes that aren't being used or worn, those can definitely be turned into something more useful. Like I said, it is all about thinking outside of the box. If you need some help with the creative part, just start reading blogs. There are so many wonderfully creative people out there, that reading their adventures will for sure jump start the creative bug in you!

6. What is your all-time favorite dessert?
Oh boy! Is my husband reading this? Well, then, my answer is vegetables. Okay, seriously. I love chocolate. Anything with chocolate

GIVEAWAY #3

Post a comment about Rubyellen for a chance to win this splatter-dyed hand-dyed baby onesie. This onesie is perfect for a girl or boy and if you don't have a baby, it would make a great gift. Size 3-6 months. Winner will be chosen at random and posted on my blog next week.

Breakfast & Books

My breakfast:

Wheat toast and a blackberry smoothie. My friend brought us some wonderful blackberry jelly that is more like a sauce. She made it from scratch with splenda and I can not get enough of it. I mixed a little plain yogurt, milk and ice and a couple of big spoonfuls of the blackberries. Ta-licious.Calebs breakfast:

Smashed avacado and banana...mmm yummy

With a side of fresh yard sale book finds :)

It's not as easy as it looks!

Tryin hard!

No thank you mama

Unlike his Aunt Donna, Caleb's favorite food is most definitely not apples.

I just can't stop!!!

Making baby pants!!! I love making baby pants. Love Luv Love making baby pants. I might be a bit addicted, but Seth says I am addicted to yard sale-ing too, so not all addictions are bad :) Here are my two new fav's.

Yes, poor Caleb is my model. . .no one knows though except for you guys. I keep him anonymous ;)
These are reversible pants. You can wear the flower on the front or the bum!

We also finally got our patio furniture. We decided to get a smaller set so that we could use the leftover money to buy Caleb's highchair. . .of which he luvs! The best part is that the highchair was $35. It is the new Costco flat fold highchair. I have only been able to find it at Target around here. He is a baby eating machine now. . .well at least bananas. I think everything will have to include bananas for a while. Nana-cado (avocado + banana) Bapple (banana + apple), Cabana (carrot +banana, okay, maybe we won't try that one!) AND did I tell you that this boy will not eat baby food from a jar??? Yepp, fresh and homemade will only suffice for this el natural kiddo. He is a particular little fellow, but golly ain't he cute???

I don't know if he likes eating food or his new highchair more ;)