Look what the stork brought

24 years ago today, the stork brought all 9lb 10oz of me!  That was one strong stork.

Now that I am a mama, I think that mama's deserve a pat on the back on their children's birthdays too... after all, it took a lot of work to get us here!  So, good job mama...you sure did have a great baby! hehe

Open for Business

I took a small shop hiatus and it was very relaxing, but now I am back in business!  Would someone please buy this extra large peacock mug?  It is my favorite and if it doesn't sell soon I will be adding it to my personal coffee cup collection...and I really shouldn't do that ;-)

And don't forget about little ol' cutie pants...

Before and After- Armoire Edition

Remember the black armoire that I wanted to makeover?  Well, I finally finished it.  After several coats of paint and a few designs that were painted over, I finally came up with something I like (for now at least, I am always changing my style!).

Before:

After:

My process:

3 coats of white paint

Medium grain sandpaper for distressing

Using the same technique for the baby painting to do the design on the doors.  

and Voila! 

I tried changing out the knobs for some pretty aqua glass knobs that I got on sale at anthro, but I didn't like the way it looked so I just painted the original ones white.  I am very satisfied with it.  I didn't want it to be completely traditional but I didn't want it to be really modern either.  I tried to find a good balance between traditional modern.  I really wanted to do turquoise on it but I made myself commit to yellow because I have sooo much turquoise in my living room already!  I just can't get enough of that color!  I am also working on a lampshade makeover...I hope to have it finished and ready to show you guys by the end of the week.  Being on a creative hiatus in Texas for the past few weeks has really given me a lot of creative energy.  I am getting projects knocked out left and right...that and some coffee has been very helpful. Caleb likes to grab my pencils when I put them down and draw on thing.  So far he has managed to scribble scrabble on my armoire door and the front door...I guess he has the creative bug too :-)

Turquoise Week Winners

I have already contacted everyone who won something from Turquoise week- however I have not heard back from these people:  Mary Catherine winner on Day #9...Julie winner on day #8...xoxrhapsodyxox winner on day #8, emmanem handmade winner on Day #7....Midwestern gone Idohoan winner of Day #3 and #4...you guys have until Tuesday to contact me so hurry up so you can win!!!!!!!!! :-)

Thanks everyone who played, I had a lot of fun and I hope you guys did too!

ABC art tutorial for everyone! DIY for the non-DIYers

This tutorial requires very little artistic ability, although if you are artistic it is still a very fun project... which makes it perfect for everyone!  I love a good ABC art piece in a baby or kids room and this is fun and easy:

Step One: Choose your canvas size (or you can paint on sturdy paper).  Paint your canvas the color of your choice.  I did a pale blue and white.

Step 2:  With a pencil, lightly draw circles as evenly as you can onto your canvas.  Keep in mind that you need at least 26 circles in order to fit the entire alphabet- although I am sure you could have figured that out on your own :-)  I did 6 circles by 5 circles.  I intentionally wanted my circles to be almost square like...have fun with the shapes though...you can do squares, triangles...anything you want!

Step 3:

Paint your circles.  I used one color but it would be very cute with 2 or more alternating colors that match your child's room.

Step 4: 

Write in your letters with a paint pen and voila'...an easy masterpiece that anyone can do!

And don't forget to send us a picture if you make one :-) 

p.s. This would be a perfect baby shower gift...how sweet would it be to give the baby something personal that you made?

Much to my surprise!

I came home after being away for 2 1/2 weeks to a ton of veggies on the vines!  Thanks to great friends who watered them while I was gone, I now have delicious cherry tomatoes, banana peppers and okra.  My bell peppers were nibbled at, but I have my eye on the scoundrels who have been partaking of the fruits of my labor. I used the topsy turvey to grow my tomatoes and the vines have grown almost all the way to the ground   from where I hung them on the roof of my covered porch.  Caleb is enjoying picking the tomatoes off the bottom vines, biting them, eating the inside and then spitting the skin out...it is really funny and I am glad that he is eating the inside at least. Now, it is time to tackle the weeds that also decided to grow and thanks to the lawn mower guy who wound my water hose up so tight that now I can't get it undone...I will be tackling that as well...and the unpacked shoes in my floor and the piles of laundry sitting in the front of my washing machine.  At least it is the weekend and at least we made it home safe and sound.  We had a blast in Texas and Louisiana but Caleb and I are ready for some normalcy in our own town, without driving for hours and we missed our friends too!  Plus my little boo bear has an ear infection so we are definitely due for some much needed down time.  I hope you guys have a great weekend, whether you end up resting like us or shopping at the amazing semi annual sales or taking vacation!

dEaR dAda

dEaR dAda,


i WeallY dO mIsS yOu. i Wuv eWe rEalLy mUch aNd i wAnT tO saY HaPpy FaThErS DaY aNd HurRy baK hOmE sO wE cAn wResTle (bEtwEeN eWe aNd Me, mOmMy'S nOt beRRy goOd aT iT)

WuV eWe,
cAlEb
 

Turquoise Week Giveaway Finale!!! CLOSED

Woo hoo!  It's Friday and it's the big grand finale of Turquoise Week.  I have been so excited about this giveaway since day one...and I really wish I could win it myself :)  I think you all will be just as excited.  So, without further delay...the giveaway today is..... THIS:

Isn't it pretty?

It is called: The Handmade Wood Shelf and Coat Rack in Distressed Turquoise Bay

and it comes from such a sweet couple who handmakes all types of fabulous wood works.  They have been wonderful to work with and their products are just beautiful.

Make sure to take a look through their shop TDWoodworks.  Not only are their products shabby chic, but their prices are GREAT!

To win this giveaway:

Leave a comment telling us your favorite item and color choice from their shop.  Make sure to leave your email address.

For extra entries:

1.  Blog about this giveaway and leave us the link

2.  Retweet this giveaway, using the tweet button

3.  Become follower of this blog

4.  Become a facebook fan of The Patriotic Peacock

Turquoise Week #8

Yes- Turquoise week is extended two days :)  The last day of giveaways is tomorrow and if I can keep myself inside long enough, I will post the winners this weekend! 

*A side note for you guys who are entering...if you do not have your reply-to-email set (thanks JG!) then you must leave your email address in your comment so that I can contact you- that or go ahead and set your reply-to-email and make it easier for you and me!

Today, there are three great giveaways!

The first one comes from berryisland.  It is a gorgeous Turquoise Ornate Frame with a fabric print- this would match my living room perfectly!

********************************************************

The second giveaway comes from MiaBeads.

It is a beautiful Fleur Filigree Ring.

The perfect decor for any finger :)

The third giveaway is from Nemesis Productions.

It is a pretty knotwork bar of soap...such a great summertime addition to a powder room!

****************************************************

To enter:

Visit each shop and leave a comment letting us know your favorite items.

For an extra entry:

Become a follower of my blog!

Turquoise Week Day #7!

One of my favorite bloggers is giving away her newest print, the Alphabet Poster, and I just LOVE it!  Candace is a cute, down to earth kinda gal and you can't help but fall in love with her and her family after you read her blog. 

Her and her husband design and print all of the fabulous posters in her shop named "Sparkle Power", so go check them out! She also makes really cute fabric garland among other fabulous things :)

Here is the poster up for grabs:

Our second fabulous giveaway comes from Emily Riley.

They are beautiful blue glass earrings.

Emily has a ton of really cute pieces in her shop so make sure to stop in and take a little look-see!

To enter this giveaway:

Visit both shops and come back to tell us your favorite items from each!

For extra entries:

1. Retweet this post

2. Become a follower of my blog

*Both giveaways are open to US and International residents

Day #6- Turquoise Week Giveaways

Kids Day- turquoise style :)

Two reallllly cute giveaways today!

True Love kids tank from StarDustStore, located in London :)

This tank is perfect for a girl or a boy and it comes available in sizes from newborn to 10 years old!

You can find them on Etsy or at their own website: http://www.stardustkids.co.uk/

***Open to US and International residents

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monster Tooth Fairy Pocket Pillow from FangDangle- perfect for all those tooth fairy nights! 

Each monster comes with an official Fang Dangles™ card and poem:

Lose a tooth?

Give it to me!

I'll keep it safe

For the tooth fairy!

*Open to US and Canada

To enter these giveaways:

Visit each store and come back to tell us your favorite item!

For an extra entry:

Become a folllower of my blog :)

Turquoise Week Day #5

Planning an outdoor dinner party?  Or maybe you just enjoy eating outside on a regular basis.  These Posh Beachy Blue drink and food covers from LeliaMae are perfect for keeping the summer bugs out of your food.

The second giveaway today comes from A Wish in a Box.  It is a beautiful wire wrapped bracelet.

It is adjustable and perfect for your little black dress!

To enter:

Visit Lelia Mae and A Wish in a Box and let us know your favorite items!

For extra entries:

1.  Become a blog follower

2.  Become a fan on facebook

Don't forget to check out all of the other giveaways from this week...they are all open until Thursday!

Turquoise Week Day #4- Beachy Theme

Caleb and I are visiting my inlaws who happen to have a pool at their house and a beach in their back yard.  We are headed to the beach today for Calebs first little dip in the ocean and I thought this beachy giveaway would be a perfect fit for a summer Saturday.

Beachy Print from ThreebySea

Sand and Seaspray Candle from NaturesGlow

To enter:

Visit both shops and tell us your favorite items!

For extra entries:

1.  Become a follower of this blog

2. Add the Turquoise Week button to you blog

3.  Retweet this post

*The print is open for US and international residents

**Candle is for US residents only

Turquoise Giveaways- Day #3!!!

I am very excited about today's giveaways.  For all of you bloggers out there, I think you will be as well.  Today is a blogger themed giveaway day featuring 2 custom blog headers and one custom blog button.  3 different people will win these prizes.

The first blog header comes from bearcengic

It is a beautiful turquoise banner with a fleur de lis and polka dots.  The winner will be able to work with bearcengic to customize this header to fit the name of their blog!  This is a wonderful way to beautify your blog.  Take a look at her shop to see all the other great headers and blog accessories she has to offer.

******************************************************

The second blog header comes from JacqandMal

She has a few different designs for the winner to choose from...and they are all so cute!  She will also work with the winner to create a beautiful, custom blog header.

**************************************************

The third giveaway item is a custom blog button from KMarshPhotos.  This is great for sharing your blog with others and a perfect way to spruce up the look of you blog and make it more personal.  You can also use this button as a logo for your shop, business or just about anything else.  KMarshPhotos shop is stocked full of super cute items to make your blog super classy!

To enter this giveaway:

Visit the shops and tell us your favorite item(s) from each.

For additional entries:

1.Become a follower of this blog

2. Retweet this post by clicking the "tweet" button

Winner will be chosen at the end of Turquoise Week!

Day #2- Turquoise Week

Welcome to Day #2 of Turquoise Week!

Today, there are two great items up for winning.

It doesn't get much cuter than this:

The Spring Farmer's Market Cupcake Burpy from KDBuggie

Here is the full description from KDBuggie:

Cupcakes are a "sweet" way to give congrats to a new mom!This cute burpy cupcake is not exception!!

Straying from the norm a little, I decided to make this cute burpy using soft light pink chenille, instead of my vanilla cream. I think it makes it so much cuter!!!

Burpy measures approx. 10"x17" and is large enough to catch all those spits and spills, and can even function as a changing pad in a pinch!

*******************************************************

The second giveaway for today comes from diaperbagwrangler.  She is giving you the option of one of the following:

A zippered wetbag

Don't you just love this print? I can see this wet bag coming in very handy this summer!

"Our zippered wet bag can hold several (6 - 8) disposable diapers, plus wipes and other essentials. Cloth diaper? It can hold 2-3 soiled cloth diapers (pocket, hybrid or flatfold). It is also ideal for keeping a change of clothes, swimsuits, snacks, etc."

OR

A  link loop diaper bag, perfect for on the go moms!

"No more searching for diapers, wipes or essentials when you need them the most. Our multi-purpose link loop diaper bag has a removable plastic ring which allows you to easily attach the bag onto your stroller, shopping cart, etc. It is roomy enough to fit several diapers plus travel wipes and has a large sewn-on Velcro closure that adjusts for a full or "not-so-full" bag.

The back exterior pocket is handy for anything extra you need to pack but keep separate from the main pocket. You can also use this bag to keep snacks, small toys, change of clothes, or cosmetics contained."

To enter this giveaway:

Visit KDBuggie AND DiaperBagWrangler and come back to let us know your favorite item from each shop.

For four extra, optional entries:

1.Become a follower of this blog

2. Add the Turquoise Week button to your blog and leave the link so we can check it out :)

You can find the Turquoise Week button on my top left sidebar.

3.Become a fan on facebook

4.  Retweet this post by clicking the  green "tweet" button

2 Winners will be chosen at the end of Turquoise Week!

Turquoise Giveaway Week- Day 1

Welcome to day one of Turquoise Week!

I spotted this unique candle from cattailcandles on etsy. It looks so beachy and summery.

It is called the Teal blue pillar candle with stars and moons scented with rain

I love that the candle is rolled up and the moon and stars cut outs are just plain fun.

To enter this giveaway:

 Visit cattailcandles and come back to let us know your favorite item from their shop.

For three extra, optional entries:

1.Become a follower of this blog

2.  Add the Turquoise Week button to your blog and leave the link so we can check it out :)

You can find the Turquoise Week button on my top left sidebar.

3.Become a fan on facebook

*The candle giveaway is open to US residents only.

***********************************************

This beautiful, dainty necklace from melissahaske is also up for grabs today.  It looks so vintage.  It would make the perfect addition to any summer wardrobe.

It is called the bouquet necklace.

Be sure to take a look at her shop...she has a very dainty, summer collection listed and she has amazing prices!

To enter this giveaway:

Visit melissahaske's shop and come back to tell us your favorite item (besides the turquoise bouquet necklace)

For three extra, optional entries:

1.Become a follower of this blog

2. Add the Turquoise Week button to your blog and leave the link so we can check it out :)

You can find the Turquoise Week button on my top left sidebar.

3.Become a fan on facebook

*The necklace giveaway is open to everyone

Winners will be chosen at the end of Turquoise Week.

Turquoise Week

I love turquoise and I love giveaways, so what could be better than hosting a week of turquoise giveaways???

Starting Wednesday there will be a TON of fabulous giveaways!  At least one fantastic giveaway a day and some days there will be more than one giveaway.  All of the winners will be chosen at the end of the week and you can enter to win any and all giveaways. 

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.iaminthearmytoo.blogspot.com/"><img alt="PatrioticPeacock" src="http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n134/katandryanlove/turquoiseweek1.png"; /></a>

Here is a "Turquoise Week" button for your blog!  Just copy and paste the code into your blog in the sidebar as html code or in the post body.

I am so excited about this week!  There is a really fun variety of items from talented etsians so I hope we will see you back here on Wednesday :)

Sweetie Bear is on the move

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com