my nose is to the grindstone
lists running through my head
to do
to clean
to cook
to make
don't want to forget anyone
anything

lost in my thoughts
and then the mailman came
i love the mailman
especially when the only thing he brings
are chistmas cards and treats
and today i was quite surprised

to get a little something
from one of my favorite artists
as a thank you
WHAT?
yes, a thank you
how many people do that???

she sent one of my most favorite things in the world
never met a flying heart i didn't love
it's perfect
and made my day
thank you dear carissa!

Worked last night.
Woke up with a start.
HAD to make a little outfit for Ruby to show off on her last day of school tomorrow.
Found the cutest rainbow fabric at......cough, Walmart.
Found a basic pattern which made NO sense to me and took it's measurements and added a couple inches.
Love the white eyelet ruffle.
HAD to make a little tee to go with...
Love.
A little funky and VERY Ruby.
For her last day of Kindergarten.

Don't think many Dad's read my blog other than mine :) But if you're a Dad and reading...thanks! Happy Father's Day!

xoxo

Taaa-Dahhhhh!

OMG.
I'm done.
It took me hours and hours and hours.
Miles and miles of shrimp colored tulle.
Yardage upon yardage of fabulous fabric.
It's not perfect and I don't care.
This skirt can twirl like nobodies business and frankly that's all that matters.
A certain someone will look gorgeous wearing it in front of the whole school on Monday:)
Will I make another one?
Ugggggg.
Yes.
I'll have to make two more.
Am I looking forward to it?
No.
Will you see these in my shop?
NO WAY!

Have a great day!
Later Taters!
xo

Abra-ca-DA-bra...

What a little sun, cool breeze and ICE CREAM can do for one's spirit.
I need the bad juju to go aaawwwwwaaaaayyyyyyy!
So cranky.
Bad mood.
Ready to rip someones head off (not really people!).
Tired.
I'm done with that...DONE!
Onto the good stuff!
Did a little sewing today.
Filled an order.
Working on another.
Making some baby blocks for Chef.
Got a naked three year old jumping on the bed, squealing.
Ready to dive into this book and find some answers.
My tireless days of ALWAYS trying to be perfect are O.V.A.H! (at least I'll try)

Hope you're having a good day!
xo

Got some sewing done today and some more designing! I'll list these on etsy a bit later if time allows.

I've been pulled in every direction today...I'm stealing away to post this while R and her friend are digging out the insides of pumpkins...I'll regret this later).

So, the dragons are inspired by C and tattoos (something we both love :) He really likes the design and has been bugging me for awhile to do something more boyish...I'm not a truck, train, ball type of gal so dragons it is! I've got another one in the machine right now that has the coolest fabric EVER! You'll see that one later.

The Russian dolls are a continuation of my apron skirt design...I just love the fabric and have always been a big fan of the Matryoshka's for as long as I can remember.

I've got to pick out something from my shop to use as a give away on the Fabulous Fun Finds blog...any suggestions?

Okay...I have a feeling...a BAD feeling there are pumpkin guts all over my kitchen floor so I'm signing out...

Today's Sparklies:

• I'm so grateful I didn't die during my workout at the gym cause it sure felt like I was going to.
• The sun shone for a whole five minutes this afternoon.
• I'm going to make these delicious chocolate treats in a bit...if they turn out, I'll post the recipe :)
• The Shield is on tonight, Dexter started Sunday, Entourage is picking up...when does Big Love and Brotherhood start? (we're cable junkies...can you tell?)

xo

50 hearts!

Wow! I feel like I've been given a great big hug...THANK YOU!

Okay...it's a baby milestone in my etsy venture but it counts...it means I have some fans out there!

I've been totally neglecting my designing in favor of some good old fashioned home maintenance. As much as I love seeing the changes in my house I HATE not fueling my creative desires....SO, I slipped in one more treat before having to 'pack up my office'...HA...I mean (my dining room) so that I can get set up for Z's b'day party this weekend.

I just love the way this valance came out...love the birds, love the fabric, love the flour sack material...love, love, LOVE!

Notice to the left of the window some fancy artwork by my ladies :) They made those tiles at the art school they go to during the summer...they look perfect there!

Todays Sparklies:

• finished my valance...it took so long to sew!
• feeling incredibly inspired to design which is great since I really haven't this past week.
• I'm pretty organized for the party this weekend only I think it's going to rain...we'll cross that bridge if we have to.
• looking forward to having a date with my honey Saturday night.
• I've got a new blogger friend and she seems super sweet!
• reached the 50 heart milestone.
• it was a beautiful day.

xo

while daddie was trimming out one of our new doors and mommie was painting the side of our house (that's been three different colors for...oh, going on three years now). the girls got busy with their own messy project. this kept them busy for over an hour which was a pleasant surprise considering their attention span doesn't usually last that long...paint and glitter or no paint and glitter. i really love the top one that R did...it is SO her :) S's well, it's a nice glittery mess which is exactly how she is in real life...sweet girl. Z was busy at her BFF's so no artwork from her today!

sparklies:

• got half of the side of our house painted...just waiting for staging to be put up so i can finish it.
• virtually no sisterly spats today...which is both nice and uncommon.
• had a great time with friends last night.
• i think i killed all the fruit flies....ewwwww!

finally able to capture my little cafe curtain...don't know why i didn't think to take it at night before!

xo

who knew...

front

back

the endless possibilities of a flour sack!

how cute is the little apron skirt i just made?

this on the heels of making an adorable cafe curtain that i just can't seem to photograph well enough to publish.

i'm picturing this over a pair of jeans, leggings or as an addition to a flouncy skirt.

would you buy it?

is it cute enough?

i think it is and i would!

let me know your thoughts...i just think it's so sweet!

xo

two years ago...

today this photo was taken...R has grown up so much but still has that sassy little attitude only a child with her name should have :)

sparklies:

i've got three designs waiting in the wings to get sewn...i'll post them tomorrow.

i made the cutest little cafe curtain for S's room today...after hanging it and taking it down again i realized it would make a really cute skirt if i put a pretty satin ribbon through it. i'm going to make a shorter one tomorrow and see if Z will wear it over a pair of jeans...trend setter!

i took the toy boxes that were in the girls closets out and re-organized their stuff...AGAIN!

i made enchiladas for dinner tonight despite the fact that i really used up my time today by designing.

thankfully my freezer is stocked with baked goods because that is ALL i'm craving...

night y'all!

xo

here i am...

well, at least four blogs of mine are now laid to rest in the cyber graveyard...i guess with most things unless you're really ready to commit they go neglected. i'm promising myself (and you) i'm going to make this a priority...will you stay with me and cheer me on, i could really use it at times? :)

i've started a company called 'i love plum'. it's been a long time dream of mine to do something artful and creative. i'm no artist mind you just someone i consider to be on the crafty side. why this totally random name you may ask (or maybe not). i know my sweet sister asked but she already knew the answer and was waiting for my confirmation :) it had started out that i thought i'd like to incorporate my girlies into the name of my business...then maybe my name. it all sounded hokey and contrived by the time i had a list down. when one lovely day i happened to be eating...guess what? A PLUM! i said to myself...ooooo, 'i love plum'...eureka! my baby was born. why not have something totally random, off the beaten path, meaningless (other than to you plum lovers out there) yet fun and sweet. so here i am.

my darling husband bought me a sewing machine at least seven years ago because i had casually mentioned around the time of my birthday i'd like to make a quilt. he's like that. just picks up these little things i say and runs with it...so sweet. that lovely gift remained untouched by me for ahhheemmm seven years... until now. i'd like to thank my beautiful friend l for inspiring me and lighting a fire under my beeeehind and taking me to that applique class. xo to you l. i came home from that class with a handmade pillow and butterflies in my belly...the fire was burning a hole and i immediately got to work on my first shirt. a couple months later i decided i HAD to have an etsy shop. those of you who know me know that once i've got something in my head it's a go. so la-di-dah...i now have an etsy shop to go with my 'i love plum' designs. this is only the beginning my friends. i'm making pillows, tags, curtains....i. can't. stop!

so come visit me here...i've got loads to share!

xo