one artsy mama

{wearing}

2012-02-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

Today, I'm mixing patterns...something I have never been brave enough to do. Granted, the patterns are both black & white...baby steps! Someday I'll add some color!

{pinterest dinner}

2012-02-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

I have stockpiled many yummy looking pins on my Pinterest boards so I have decided to finally start & try some of them!

Last night I made these yummy French Chicken Broccoli Supreme. Unfortunately I didn't have enough Ritz crackers to fulfill the recipe but other then that it was great! Definitely would have been really delicious with all the Ritz because the crunch was amazing!

I also whipped up some 7-up biscuits. I have been dying to try these ever since I saw it because who would have imagined putting 7-up in a biscuit!! And they were delicious! I ended up making mine a bit different then the recipe because I didn't have the right pan at the time but they still turned out great!

What recipes have you tried??

{more hats...}

2012-02-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I spent some time with the little man & my camera taking some pics of some new hats...

Check them out & stay tuned for many more coming!!

{wearable crochet series part 1:crochet bow 2 ways}

2012-02-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

The first part of my wearable crochet series is this super fun, easy bow. So not only am I sharing how to crochet this bow, I'm also going to show you how to wear it 2 different ways!

Let's get started: here is the pattern for the bow.

Step 1: chain 28

Step 2: double crochet into 3rd chain from hook. dc in each chain across.

Step 3: chain 1. single crochet into back loop of each chain across

Step 4: chain 3. dc into back loop of each chain across.

repeat Step 3 & 4

Finish off bow by single crochet into each chain around the bow.

Easy right??

Now just attach a chain & viola!

To turn your bow into a belt, simply start your belt out by making 7 chains.
Then double crochet into 3rd chain from hook.
Then double crochet into each chain across.
Chain 3. Double crochet in each chain across. Repeat this step until you have your desired length.
Then finish off your belt by single crochet around the belt.
Attach the bow & you have yourself another fun accessory!

By the way, I want to see your finished products too! So I started a Flickr group.

Please share your bows with me!

Have fun!

{wearable crochet series}

2012-01-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

Next week, I will be starting a 5 part series called 'Wearable Crochet' where I will be showing & sharing some cute crochet accessories patterns. It will be a simple series to show that yarn is for more then just blankets & babies! It can be worn with any outfit!

Stop back next week for part 1!

{new year:new look:new me}

2012-01-23T17:51:00.000-08:00

I have been in a rut lately...a worn out, stay at home mommy rut who barely has time for a 5 minute shower let alone a daily beauty regiment & personal style. Don't get me wrong, I love being able to stay at home & take care of my men but sometimes I want to rip my hair out. Sometimes it is tiring having someone whining at you all day long, trying to crawl away with a poopy diaper half open, wailing for an hour because they are tired. And that's just the baby. I still have my home to clean, dishes to do, dinner to make, laundry to do...and a husband who makes mad hours so I go all day long with no adult conversation because by the time he gets home, I'm exhausted. So yeah, I barely have time or energy for much more then a shower.

Yes, I have turned into one of those moms...running around in sweats, clothes that no longer fit this post baby bump body of mine, short soccer mom hair & not a bit of makeup to be seen. I used to be a girl that wore loud colors, lots of makeup & color that was never the same color... this year, I'm about to bring a bit of my early 20s back to my late 20s. I have decided to jazz up my short mom hair cut, add some excitement to my comfortable wardrobe & even try & slap on some makeup before I leave the house.

It's not much but it's a slow start to a new look. I actually am wearing foundation, a bit of mascara, a bolder sweatshirt (yes, still a sweatshirt, I still have a little one who drools & spits up on everything for goodness sake!) & even went for a bit of a hair flip on one side.

Here's to a new year & new experiments on my appearance!

{just listed}

2012-01-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

It is so bitter cold outside today so I spent some time today loading my shop with crocheted hats for the little ones to keep their toppers warm!

Don't forget to check out my little man's froggie hat that was listed a few weeks ago!

Stay warm out there!

{2012}

2012-01-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

We are only a few weeks into 2012 & I have been busy getting some new goodies ready for my shop for the new year.

My first newbies are these big bro/big sis onesies & tees. I think these are by far my faves! I love the colors of fabrics & the buttons, my two favorite materials to work with!

Keep an eye out because these are entering my shop little by little!

{home for the holidays}

2011-12-22T11:56:00.000-08:00

It's the week of Christmas & I am busy getting ready for the weekend as I'm sure everyone else is too so I thought I would share our Christmas pictures!

These will definitely be making their way onto our walls soon!

Hope everyone has a Blessed Christmas!

{feature:rose}

2011-12-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday everyone!

Please meet the adorable Rose!

She makes amazing beaded jewelry!

How did your shop begin?

I've always loved beads, but I didn't get serious about my jewelry work until a few years ago. During the summer of 2008, a friend introduced me to Etsy and I saw some beadwoven jewelry that I really loved in the Amana Colonies. I started to learn beadweaving techniques with the motivation that I would be able to make jewelry to sell on Etsy. I first joined Etsy in August of 2008 and then opened my shop a couple months later. In addition to beads, I've always enjoyed buttons and started adding button jewelry shortly after opening my shop.

What is your creative process?

Typically I have way more ideas than I have time to create so I often have trouble reigning in my process and focusing on one or two projects at a time. I regularly keep a list going of new ideas that I have. Sometimes I pull beads and/or buttons together as ideas come together and set them aside to work on as I have time. I almost always have at least two jewelry projects in the works at one time and often have another crafty project going elsewhere, too.

What has been your biggest crafting disaster?

I don't know that I've had many major crafting disasters, if any at all. I have had a couple challenges designing techniques for securing more weighty bead work. A lot of my early beadwork was light or had embellishment work that did not strain the base of the piece. When I first started making heavier pieces where the weight was an integral part of the base, I had to completely rethink how I was going to do the structural work. There is definitely some trial and error involved in that process, but so far, it has always been worth it.

What are your current projects?

Among other things, I recently finished my November entry for the EBW Challenge Twisted. I am working on a few Christmas designs that I'll be listing in my shop later this month or early next month. I am also working on a brand new line of herringbone stitch bracelets that I'll be releasing in 2012.

Any advice for those who want to start their own shop?

Take the best pictures that you can and continually work on improving your photography. I have easily learned as much about photography as I have about jewelry making since I started my Etsy shop. Work to create your own style for your shop that matches your items. This can take time and may also change over time as your shop changes, but it is always an important element to keep in mind. To get more advice about starting a shop, please read the articles that I have written about Etsy by clicking here.

Find more of Rose here:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/randomcreative28

Twitter: http://twitter.com/randomcreative

Blog: http://www.randomcreativeart.com

Rose is offering my readers free shipping with the code FREESHIP on all her lovely items in her shop!

{cookies}

2011-12-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

Last week, I was busy in the kitchen whipping up 12 dozen of these yummy S'mores cookies for a cookie exchange with some ladies from my church.

I haven't baked in a while so I had so much fun baking & wrapping them up. Plus now I have a variety of cookies ready to be nibbled on during the holidays!

What are you baking up for the holidays??

{craft swap 2011}

2011-11-29T17:57:00.000-08:00

It's been months since my swap took place but I am finally getting around to posting the lovely things from some very talented ladies (Joey, Velma, Lola, Kellie) that I have been enjoying for months.

Thanks again ladies for the lovely jewelry hanger, coaster, ring & washcloths! I am loving them!

{baby talk:6 months}

2011-11-28T15:46:00.000-08:00

These past 6 months my poor blog has been shoved aside & left bare & lonely...but for good reason! I have been spending my time soaking in every little moment of my little man's life!

I can't believe that half a year ago today Nolan arrived & changed our lives forever.

So please forgive me for being a little sidetracked lately but can you really blame me with a face like this?!?!

{feature:gabriella}

2011-11-14T15:50:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Let me introduce to you a fellow Milwaukee area crafter, Gabriella!

How did your shop begin?

I have always had a passion for creating things from scratch with my own two hands, especially if it's something beautiful I can give to someone else. I had heard about Etsy through another crafty friend, and I decided it was about time to share my work with other people.

What is your creative process?

I don't think I ever start out with a specific project in mind. I love looking through other Etsy shops, especially shops that sell unique stones and feathers. I see a particular gem or plume and I think, "What can I make with that?" Once it's in my possession, it's a very organic process; I let it become what it wants.

What has been your biggest crafting disaster?

I would say buying a large bulk of feathers from a chain craft store. I found out that they probably aren't cruelty-free, and it's now my goal to only create pieces that contain cruelty-free feathers.

What are your current projects?

I just made two large orders of feathers from other Etsy sellers, and I can hardly contain myself for them to arrive! I picture several beautiful sets of earrings and a few fascinators. I am also gearing up for my first craft fair, and therefore a lot of my "crafting time" involves increasing my inventory.

Any advice for those who want to start their own shop?

Network, network, network. Set up accounts for your shop on Facebook and Twitter, and consider starting a blog. Look through successful Etsy shops, and take note of how they represent their brand, how they describe their items, and the quality of their craftsmanship. Also, make sure to photograph your items properly! No one wants to buy an item that is poorly photographed. Finally, get involved in as many aspects of Etsy as possible: create your own treasury lists, join teams, and add other members to your circle. I can't stress enough that being successful is all about exposure.

You can find Gabriella here:

Shop

Blog

Facebook

She is also kind enough to offer my readers 15% off their first purchase! Just use the code NEW15 at checkout to get 15% off Gabriella's amazing jewelry!

{while i was out...}

2011-10-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

So while I was gone, some very lovely people have featured me on treasuries, blogs & even given me awards.

found here

Thank you all so very much!! What a sweet things to come home to!

I have spent the last 2 months packing, moving & unpacking, settling into our new place, getting ready for craft fair season & taking a much needed vacation with my little family. Now I am back home & back to every day life with many new exciting things to share!

Stay tuned!

{baby talk:rolling over}

2011-10-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

My little guy has been rolling over for weeks now. He has figured out fast how to get that blasted arm out from under that belly which means instant roll over as soon as he is put on the ground.

This little bean has also been so sick. The poor guy has been having problems breast feeding & sleeping & his nose is dripping like a faucet.

So combining the instant roll over & the cold you get one drowsy little boy who tries to sleep like this...

There has got to be a better way to fall asleep...

{pinwheels & paper planes}

2011-09-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

I have been finding some amazing pinwheel & paper airplane items on Etsy lately so I decided to put them all in a treasury!

What are you loving today?

{recap}

2011-09-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

These past couple of weeks have been so busy for me as I am busy packing for our big move next week but we have been having some fun too!

My little man has been busy bouncing in his new jumperoo while I have been busy hanging with my girls at a bachorlette party & wedding. I have also been working with Baby Jack Blankets with a fun photo shoot with my tees.

Now on with the move & then my craft fair! Doesn't look like life will be slowing down anytime soon!

{tied up}

2011-09-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

Where have I been??

I have been a bit 'tied up' lately working on some new items for my shop like these new bow ties!

Sorry I have been gone for a bit but I hope this sneak peak gives you something to look forward to!

{adore:clever onesies}

2011-08-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

I am in love with these clever onesies! How funny!

Happy Monday!

{end of summer sale}

2011-08-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost over!

That means I will be putting away all my summer goods for the winter but first you can get yours for 1/2 price!

Buy any tee or onesie & you will get a surfboard tee or onesie half off!

(Place surfboard tee/onesie in cart, checkout & discounts will be refunded to you.)

Hurry! Sale ends soon!

{home again, home again}

2011-08-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

WOW!

It's been awhile huh??

The past couple of weeks I haven't even bothered unpacking my suitcase between weddings, family vacations, visits from grandpa & grandma, spending a week at my moms...

It's been fun but now I'm home again & packing up our place to move! Between packing boxes, in my free time, I'm gearing up for craft fair season!

It's been very crazy over here but super fun!

{how to:friendship bracelet}

2011-07-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

Check out my DIY over at Henning Love...it's super fun & easy!

{grown up paper dolls}

2011-07-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

I just about bust a gut when I saw these funny paper dolls from one of my fave comedy show...

What a talented guy!

{cocoons}

2011-07-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

One thing about endless hours of breastfeeding is that I get a lot of computer work done.

Today was a very successful nursing session...I added a whole new section to my shop & loaded it up with a few new products!

Lovely Littles is now full of baby cocoons!

I just love these for newborn photo shoots!

{midwest girl}

2011-07-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

With all the crazy weather Wisconsin experiences (cold & rainy one day, humid & hot the next), I thought these super cute stud earrings would perfectly suit a Midwest girl like myself.

It's been close to 100 degrees here this week, makes me so thankful for air conditioning!

{2 days left}

2011-07-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, there is still 2 days left to sign up for the swap!

Check here for the details...

{featured again}

2011-07-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to yet ANOTHER treasury! I'm so flattered & so happy to see my little grumpy sleeper featured to much!

Now I'm off to spend some tummy time with this cute puppy butt...

{adore:needle felted}

2011-07-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

At a few of my craft fairs, there has been this sweet lady that sits & makes this super cute creations by needle felting & ever time I see what she whips up, it makes me what to take it up as a hobby.

But as for now, I just sit on cruise around on Etsy for cute felted items like these cute baby animals...

Aren't they to die for? I would love to get my hands on these for when Nolan can start grabbing things!

{buttons}

2011-07-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I listed my new button onesies...

And this morning I woke up to find it in 2 new treasuries!

Check it

How exciting! That 4 treasuries in 2 days! I'm so honored!

Happy Weekend everyone!

{featured}

2011-07-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up to find I was featured in not one cool treasury but two!!

It made my day!

check it

{busy bee}

2011-07-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

I have been sneaking in some crafting when I get a chance here & there & lately I have been working on some new tags for my products.

Now, on to the laundry...

This is what happens when your baby eats all day long...

At least I got it all washed right??

{craft swap 2011}

2011-07-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Last year I participated in Janel's craft swap & got some amazing crafts. I had so much fun that I have decided to throw my own craft swap & want you all to take part!

So here is all you need to do to participate-

*Leave a comment below to sign up & leave me your email address (Please, only US residents only. Sorry!). Deadline for sign up is July 15.

*After July 15, I will send out an email asking for your addresses.

*You will then have 3-4 weeks to complete your craft (one for each person participating). It can either be something handcrafted or crafting supplies.

*You will then send your crafts to me along with $10 for shipping costs

*Once all the crafts are in, I'll separate & ship them all out!

Easy right?? I promise it is so much fun too so please sign up!

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at oneartsymama@yahoo.com.

{shop update}

2011-06-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

Between feedings & diapers, I have found a bit of time to update the shop & Nolan has become an adorable, little model for me!

Check out the new collections-

Shades for the Summer

Hippo Baby

Farmyard

Still working on more stuff so stayed tuned for more updates soon!

{birth story}

2011-06-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

My baby is one month old today so I figured today would be a good day for me to finally share with you all my birth story.

It all started the Tuesday before he arrived...I was 38 weeks & heading in for my weekly checkup. At this point I was only about 1 centimeter dialated which was better then the no progrrss report I had got the week before. Even though I was completely terrified to give birth, I was so uncomfortable that I just needed to get him out but at only 1 centimeter, I knew I would be waiting it out a bit more.

However, over the last 2 weeks, I had started to develope protein in my urine causing my doctor to make collect a 24 hr culture on that Thrusday to test for preclampsia. I was scheduled to go back in to my doctor the next day to discuss a plan depending on my test results. Well, I ended up waking up on Friday morning with blood & wet undies which was a bit unnerving. Of course we set about calling the doctor since these were signs we were told to call in about. It was before office hours so we had to wait around for them to call us back so I tried to keep my mind off of it by starting to pack up my hospital bag a bit.

Obviously I had never giving birth before so I definitely felt stupid when the clinic called back & I was asked questions & really didn't know the answers to like if my water had broken...I didn't know what broken water felt like but I did wake up wet. Since I was heading into the clinic anyway that day, my doctor began to check if my water had broken & to see what was going on down there. My water had not broken but I was now 2 centimeters! She then hooked me up to the monitor to check my baby's heart rate & for contractions & I was stunned to see how many contractions I was actually having without even knowing it & how close they were together! Just minutes apart & I didn't feel a thing.

After being monitored for a bit, my doctor was noticing something a bit off with the heart rate so she wanted us to head over to the hospital for further monitoring...I was thinking we would be there just like we had in the clinic, in a little room, in a chair, just for like an hour or so then we would head back home, my husband would go back to work & I would labor at home for hours just like they had said in our birth classes. Boy, was I wrong! We ended up being admitted into the hospital, wheelchair & hospital gown & all. After then being monitored for 3 hours, my doctor come in & told us that my test results showed more protein & decided that we would be staying overnight & induced in the morning to prevent further progress of preclampsia.

Since we were not at all expecting to end up in the hospital when we went into the clinic at 9am that morning, we didn't have any of our belongings, so my hubby headed back home to finish packing up while I ordered up some dinner since I hadn't eaten all day & hopped into the shower in preparation for a good nights sleep. Wrong again! About an hour after my relaxing shower, just as I was about to fall asleep for the night, gush went my water! It really does gush! It made me feel a bit stupid about wondering if my water really had broken that morning. Now I know how it feels...

From the moment my water broke, I finally started to feel my contractions & they grew fast! They were so close together & so strong, I could not get any rest in between to gather any strength for the next. After a few hours of labor & breathing my contractions out, I just had to get something to help me out. I really wanted to be able to do my labor & delivery as natural as I could but I really couldn't not go on without something. An hour after getting some meds in my IV, my nurse came back in & we began to discuss further pain management options. The only thing I could get was an epidural & I really didn't want it which was a good thing I went without it because I finally had the urge to start pushing & I would not have been able to push with the numbing epidural.

It's strange how when I was taking my birthing classes & they were talking about ways to breath to prevent pushing because the urge was so great, I remember thinking to myself, how in the world am I going to know if I need to push? Well, trust me, you know!! And unfortunately I was not ready to push so I had to try my hardest to not push & actually ended up using those breathing techniques. This was honestly the hardest part of my labor. Luckily I didn't have to wait to long before the doctor gave me the ok to start pushing.

Well, pushing ended up being a whole new learning experience for me. I completely worn out & unable to keep my eyes open & it took me a good 20 minutes to figure out how to get a good push in. At first I was only getting in 2 pushes with my contractions but once I figured out how to push, I was able to get in 3-4 good pushes & I began making good progress.

After just about an hour of pushing, everyone in the room began getting everything set up for delivery.

I remember the doctor telling me that I have to push to get the head out & it's going to be painful but I have to keep on pushing to keep the rest of my baby out. This was the part I had been dreading & losing sleep over for weeks now & the moment was finally here. Unfortunately the doctor was right & let's just say that the pain was so overwhelming, my husband told me later that he couldn't look at me because I was screaming & looked in so much pain & he couldn't do anything for me. And now as I watch 16 & Pregnant, these girls simply push out these babies without a single sound & I was hollering my head off. Weeks before, I remember thinking how much I didn't want to make a fool of myself in the delivery room but when the time come, I could have cared less how stupid I looked & who was watching, I just needed to get this baby out!

I pretty much blacked out during delivery & the next thing I knew, I was being stitched up & looking over & seeing my husband overlooking our baby. He began talking pictures & bringing the camera over to me to look at him. It was a good distraction because being stitched up & all that comes with it was so painful, I really didn't think I was ever going to walk again!

But after 45 mins or so at around 2 am, I was finally fixed up & ready to hold my baby!

After 9 months of dreaming of who he will look most like, the day finally came & after 5 hours of a whirlwind labor & painful delivery, my sweet baby boy was here! 6 lbs 12 oz & I feel in love with every bit of him in an instead!

It feels like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital but he is already one month old & changing/growing every day!

{sweet moments}

2011-06-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

This morning I'm spending some snuggle time with the little man...

Hopefully later on I'll be able to spend some time crafting!

{fill in the blank friday}

2011-06-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

Friday! Yay! That means my hubby will be home to help out with the little guy for the weekend!

1. The last thing I ate was a yummy steak & baked potato .

2. The next thing I'd like to eat is some fajitas .

3. The best things are tiny babies .

4. Something that makes me supremely and utterly happy is a full night of sleep .

5. Sports are always on the TV at our place & is something we love to play. I was still shooting hoops at 38 weeks pregnant!

6. I miss my mom. I wish we lived in the same town still .

7. Right now I am feeding the little guy .

{newborn pics}

2011-06-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

I finally have loaded & edited Nolan's newborn pictures that I took last week.

Here is a sneak peek of a few of my faves-

{how to:father's day shirt card}

2011-06-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today, I finally found some time to whip up a card for my hubby on his first Father's Day so I thought I would share this super easy & super cute shirt card!

Since I really have limited time for crafting between feedings & diaper changes, I just grabbed whatever paper I could find but I would suggest using a piece of paper that is about 8 1/2 by 14 inches for a better looking, better shaped shirt.

First, take your paper & flip it over so the patterned side is face down. Then fold the paper in half, unfold & take each side of the paper & fold them in to the side touch the middle fold of the paper.

Then take each top corner of the paper & fold them in so they touch the outside folds of the paper. Then, putting your finger in the center of the triangle, pinch the outside points of the triangles together. Then, while still pinching the triangles, fold the top of the paper down.

Flip the over & turn in upside down, folding the top edge of the paper down just a little bit. Then flip it back over & fold the top corners in so they touch the middle fold line. Then fold up the bottom part & tuck it into the collar of the shirt.

To make a tie, simply cut a piece of paper that fits inside the collar, snip out the bottom of the tie & add on a the knot of the tie by adding an extra piece of the paper to the top of the tie.

See, so easy & so fun!

Have a happy Father's Day weekend!

{featured}

2011-06-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

My sweet little guy has been featured in this super fun treasury...

Makes me want to go outside & enjoy this lovely weather!

{fill in the blank friday}

2011-06-17T11:35:00.001-07:00

It's Friday & today we head out on our first road trip with the little guy!

1. The last movie I saw was Baby Boom .

2. I want to Mexican food .

3. Surprises are great if they are good surprises .

4. The best accessory is a great pair of heels.

5. My favorite warm drink is white chocolate mocha from Starbucks .

6. My favorite cold drink is wild cherry pepsi .

7. Currently loving my mid-morning nap with my baby .

{mommy wardrobe}

2011-06-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

The last 9 months my closet has gone through some major changes going from my size 2 clothing to roomier clothing to fit my ever-growing belly. Now it needs to change to fit my new ever-nursing mommy body.

I need something roomy on top & easy to nurse in & even though Alloy is not a store tailored toward the nursing mothers but I love the young, bright styles & I think I could work with these-

Off to do a bit of online shopping!

{finished}

2011-06-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

I finished up my project just in time for the little guys arrival...

It's still a bit big for him & please excuse the huge, self-inflicted scratch on his cheek but I still think it turned out pretty good & it's so easy anyone could do it! It would make a great baby shower gift!

{celebrations}

2011-06-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby has been here with us for 2 weeks already!

These last 2 weeks have been so crazy & have flown by! My first week home from the hospital my mom came to stay with us & this past week my hubby was home & I can't believe his week home is coming to an end already! It seems like my mom was just arriving yesterday!

As fast as these weeks have gone, we had jammed in some special celebrations among the many diaper changes, loads of laundry & nursing marathons. First, obviously the birth of our son. Then introducing him to his grandparents, uncles & aunts & cousins. He was also baptized into God's Kingdom, a wonderful occasion. And finally, my hubby & I celebrated our 3 years of happy marriage.

This year we have been blessed with the gift of celebrating our anniversary as a threesome & I am relishing the transition from a twosome to a little family & how are relationship has changed from husband & wife to parents. It is amazing how much a little peanut can bring two people even closer together & I am loving seeing my hubby in a whole new light as he talks baby talk & fawns over our little man.

Even though the past 2 weeks have been crazy & full of feedings &
sleepless nights, I couldn't have ask for a more joy filled time in my life.

Next week it's just me & Nolan at home. I sure hope it goes as smoothly as it has the last couple of weeks!

{fail}

2011-06-10T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today, the little man & I tried to get in a newborn photo shoot...

He wasn't in the mood...

Guess we will have to try again tomorrow!

{adore:felt clock}

2011-06-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

I could really use a clock in the nursery & isn't this felt clock just adorable!?

{winners}

2011-06-07T07:11:00.000-07:00

I know it's a bit late to be announcing winners but things get done a bit slower around here between feedings, dirty diapers and cat naps.

The winner of Permanent Baggage giveaway is Felicia!

And the winner of my bow & gift bag is Raven's Rascals!

Congrats ladies!

{my weekend....}

2011-05-31T07:33:00.000-07:00

I have been gone from blogland for a bit...we had a surprise arrival this weekend!

Our little Nolan was born on Saturday & we spent our Memorial weekend bringing home our little 6 lb. 12 oz snuggle bug.

I am so in love with this little guy & can't believe he is finally here!!

I hope you all had a great weekend too!!

{giveaway day}

2011-05-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

Today is Giveaway Day!

Today I am giving away this pink polka dotted bow....

And this super cute gift bag to go with it.

To enter:

*Simply leave me a comment stating what your big summer plans are.

For extra enteries:

*Follow my blog

*'Like' me on Facebook

Good luck & happy Giveaway Day!

Giveaway ends May 25th.

{fill in the blank friday}

2011-05-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's Friday & it's beautiful outside!

1. People always tell me I look like Anne Hathaway. People also ask me if we have met before because apparently I have a very familiar face.

2. Friends don't let friends make a fool of themselves.

3. A sunny day is perfect for me to get out & waddle down the sidewalk.

4. My favorite accessory is my wedding ring that hasn't fit on my swollen fingers for weeks now.

5. If I could afford it I would buy myself a big house with lots of storage.

6. The cure for boredom is a good book.

7. I am currently "in like" with Chinese food!

{adorable diy}

2011-05-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Isn't this the cutest headband??

Make it yourself by following Simply Bettie's cute tutorial.

{finished}

2011-05-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

The past couple of days I have been working long & hard on this blanket to go in the little guys room.

Now it is stilling on my comfy, over sized rocking chair, waiting for this baby to arrive & spend some quality time snuggling!

I can't wait to use it!

{wish list wednesday}

2011-05-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

I am adoring Noemiah's amazing shop & I couldn't be more obsessed with the feather items!

Aren't these necklaces amazing?!?

And these earrings couldn't be more stunning...

How I wish I could pull these off!

{adore:wedges}

2011-05-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

My pregnancy days are winding down which means hopefully soon my swollen feet days will be coming to an end & I'll be able to wear heels again & I'm hoping to throw in some adorable wedges into the mix too.

I'm so in love with all of these styles from Free People...

Will you be rocking some wedges this summer?

{feature & giveaway: Permanent Baggage}

2011-05-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday everyone!

I want to you all to meet one talented lady, Kamryn Kay & check out her amazing giveaway!

How did your shop begin?

My shoppe is nearing it's 2nd anniversary coming up at the end of May. Let me tell you it's been quite the learning experience! I opened my shop in 2009 and had very little idea about what it would be like to have an online shop. I pretty much thought that I would be able to list a whole bunch of stuff and it would just magically sell itself. I mean Etsy is great but no where in their title does it say magical mystical money maker, I learned that the hard way. After the first year of having literally zero sales and feeling the pains of disappointment and failure, I decided that it might be a good idea to read the operator's manual and subscribed to the Etsy Success emails. It was an extremely beneficial move. I got tons of info on how to take good images, insights on what the buyer is thinking, how to make "sales" and "specials" work, the importance of marketing to your specific clientele, how to prep for the holidays, the strategy behind listing and re-listing regularly, how to keep accurate business records, and on and on... I began to understand that Etsy is really a tool that requires skillful honing, patience, dedication, and time. Slowly my following has grown into a source of supplemental income and given me the opportunity to connect with people across the country.

What is your creative process?

My creative process is inspired by nature and the materials I use. Since I work with recycled materials I am ever on the hunt for new and unusual finds to incorporate into my handbags and earrings. I am especial drawn to natural prints, natural materials such as wood, fibers, or stones, I love vintage beads and fabrics, and draw great enjoyment from playing with color. Since repurposed materials inherently speak of time and place I think that is also very important to me. Like if you could trace any given item back to it's source where would it take you. So I guess you could say i let the materials be my guide.

What has been your biggest crafting disaster?

Oh boy! My biggest crafting disaster has to be a sculpture piece I made my junior year at MIAD and this is more based on the ridiculous process I used to make it rather than the actual final product. Essentially what I wanted to do was bend wood veneer into the shape of a female figure, a.k.a. ask a natural element to do something completely outside its given properties. Step one, I made a full body cast of one of my class mates then backed it with a plaster mother mold for support. It weighed several hundred pounds and had to be busted up with a sledge hammer for disposal at the end of the year. Step two create a paper pattern from the mold to use for laying out the wood veneer. Step three cut hundreds of 2 x 2 inch pieces of wood veneer, punch holes in the corners and fasten them together with brass fasteners. Step four mold the veneer by spraying the mold with release spray then slather the assembled veneer with resin and place it into the mold. Then place a layer of release plastic. Encase the whole thing with heavy plastic sheeting and seal off the edges with poster putty type stuff. Then hook it up to a vacuum compressor to suck all the air out and pull the wood down into the mold. Then place several hundred pounds of hot rocks that you've been boiling in water on a kitchen stove in the middle of the art department, into the cavity of the mold to help soften the wood and weigh it down. Then tuck it in with several layers of blankets to keep it warm over night.......Crazy? Not quite crazy enough, then I decided to crochet itty bitty copper electrical filament into a net to suspend it with. I titled the piece "Thrown Stones," a lesson on how to choose your battles wisely.

What are your current projects?

Well, I'm always working on the bags and try to do 20-30 of them a week but right now I'm developing a line of earrings and leather wallets, which I'm really excited about. I'm also finishing up a commission for 11 mosaic benches for the Johnsonville Company that will be installed the first week in June. It's been a busy couple of months.

Any advice for those who want to start their own shop?

Subscribe to and read the Etsy Success blog. I found oodles of helpful information there and it really helped me to understand how to use Etsy as a tool and that an Etsy customer is a different breed of shopper. Consider how your shop will be viewed aesthetically as a whole, it should all be very cohesive, from your banner, to your name, to your products, to how you stage your images, to your descriptions. Write an artist statement- who are you, what are you about, what's your perspective? An Etsy shopper wants to buy something they can relate to and really sings to them, tell them what makes you and your creations so great! Be prepared to try lots of different things before you find what will work best for you, as frustrating as it may be. Determine who your clientele is and cater to them. Make sure you're at the top of the stack-list and re-list regularly! One of my favorite quotes, all you moms out there will love this..."Just keep swimming!" (Dori, Finding Nemo)

Find more of Kamryn here:

Kamryn is giving away one of her lovely items from her shop!
If you are the winner, you get to pick from your favorite wristlet or earrings from Permanent Baggage.

To enter:

*Leave a comment with your email address & what item you would like to win.

For extra entries:

*Tweet about this giveaway & comment saying so

*Go to Permanent Baggage's Facebook page & like & comment saying so

*Become a fan of my blog & comment saying so
*Blog about this giveaway & comment saying so

Good luck!

{summer is just around the corner...}

2011-05-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

For the past two days, I have been working hard on filling up my shop with all my surfboard onesies & tees & I finally have all the sizes/styles listed!

What a perfect gift for your little beach babe!!

{adore:maxi dresses}

2011-05-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

Spring is here & Summer is fast approaching which means wedding season is coming!

This Summer's wedding season will be totally different for me in the past with the new guy so I'm really looking for something comfy, covering & easy to feed the baby in so I have been setting my eyes on some of these lovely maxi dresses.

Victoria's Secret

Alloy

Forever 21

I think I would be pretty comfortable in any one of these!

{may flowers}

2011-05-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

It's finally starting to feel like Spring is here & I am craving some colorful floral displays in my place to brighten it up.

Wouldn't these be fun??

Found here

{changes}

2011-05-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

There have been some recent big changes in my shop due to the pending arrival of this little guy.

Due to the lack of energy & time, I haven't been able to keep up with my website & my free time will decrease even more when he gets here so I have decided to close down my site for awhile.

But don't worry, I have began to restock my Etsy shop & you will still be able to get any of my goods from there.

Lots of changes in my life but they are all good! =)

{crazy for dr seuss}

2011-05-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Last week, I received 8 new, crisp Dr. Seuss for only $4!

I am so excited about my new find for the little guy that I decided to whip up a fun filled Dr. Seuss treasury!

What a fun way to start off the work week with!

{new toy}

2011-05-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

I forgot to tell you, I got myself a fun new toy!

I have been wanting a new sewing machine for awhile but had no idea what kind to get but when my mom was visiting a couple weekends ago, we decided to go pick one up & whip up some crib bedding & I have been sewing every since!

I'm just finishing up nursery stuff now but I hope to begin some fun projects to add to my shop!!!

{work in progress}

2011-05-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy lately working on newbies for my shop that I haven't gotten started on a few little projects I wanted to get done for the little guy.

I have been really into embroidery onesies lately so I am whipping up one & I can't wait until he gets here so I can show off the finished project!

{35 weeks}

2011-05-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

I really can't believe I could really only 5 weeks or less left of my pregnancy! It has flown by so fast. I think I have officially reached my freaking out point though! I am a bit nervous about the delivery but I am so super excited to meet this little man!

Everything has been baby lately. We have been busy building the crib, sewing sheets & curtains for the nursery, having fun at baby showers, putting together swings & bouncers, organizing itty bitty clothing & stocking up on the baby needs.

It's been a lot of fun though & he will be here before I know it!

{featured}

2011-04-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

Miss Brenna included my bows in her lovely treasury filled with adorable goods for little ones.

Check it out, it really will make you want to ditch the birth control!

{friday find}

2011-04-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

Spring is slowly moving in & I would love to have these to wear as the weather warms up!!

{mia}

2011-04-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, where have I been?

I only have 5 weeks left in my pregnancy, eek! And I can not believe how unbelievably busy my life has been this past couple of weeks!

I have been busy waddling around & trying to keep up with it all-

*fun filled showers
*doctors appointments
*nursery furniture shopping
*sewing crib sheets
*crocheting baby blanket
*reading loads of baby books
*organizing baby clothing & diapers
*birthing classes

I really can't believe I only have 5 weeks left!

{feature:blooming brenna knits}

2011-04-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Please let me introduce to you Rachel!

Rachel is a knitter & make the most adorable little designs.

How did your shop begin?

I recently moved, with my husband, to Milwaukee and I started working night shifts as a nurse in an Intensive Care Unit. The combination of staying up late often, living in an apartment (and not having yard/house work to do) and having a smaller social circle lead me to knit a lot more than I have before. My grandma taught me to knit several years ago and I had gotten out my needles and yarn when a friend had a baby or when my brother wanted a new hat. After we moved, I was reminded that I really enjoy the creativity and calmness of knitting ... and it also became apparent that I was running out of people to gift knitted things to. So, I started Blooming Brenna Knits in February. My hope is that my little shop will be an extension of something that I really like to do and that it will encourage me to continue to create and make cute things.

What is your creative process?

I like looking at an item and figuring out how it was made and then recreating it later, usually with some variation. Recently I made a little pink and white hat that just didn't look quite right. It bothered me and I thought about it a lot - in fact, I was surprised at how much I thought about that little hat. I came up with a few solutions and one worked quite nicely. I sometimes use patterns but I also enjoy starting a project and seeing where it goes.

What has been your biggest crafting disaster?

Gauge. I never ever knit to find my gauge before starting a pattern. I have learned - after much unraveling - that if my gauge is off at the beginning of a project, it will not magically improve. Once I knit an entire sweater for my cousin and the pieces didn't fit together at all. I brought it to my grandma and she said "you didn't check a gauge did you?" Nope.

What are your current projects?

I have been sewing a bit more and I am really excited about that. I have been making some shoulder bags and some baby things (wash cloths and burp cloths). Some of those things may pop up on my store after I have tried them out on friends. I am also working on a baby sweater that will be part of a gift basket I am putting together for a silent auction.

*Any advice for those who want to start their own shop?

Hmm ... I think I am too new at this to actually offer advice. My general goals are to keep making new things and to learn or participate in something new each week. So far I have created treasuries, joined a few teams, promoted an item in the children's showcase and done this blog feature. Thanks Eleise!

Find more of Rachel here-

Blog

Etsy

Rachel is offering 20% off for my readers, using the coupon code ARTSYMAMA at her shop. Go check it out & stock up on adorable goodies!

{featured}

2011-04-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

This week I am so honored to be featured twice!

Check out this treasury packed with super cute pastels.

I also am so honored to be featured on Miss Amy's lovely blog.

What a crazy, busy, great week!

What have you been up to??

{fashion friday:patterns}

2011-04-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

H & M is stocked full of spring patterns & I can't get enough!

I may have to run out today & find something for myself!

{for the boys}

2011-04-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished up a bib set just for the boys!

They will be hitting my site soon!

{wednesday wish list}

2011-04-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with these adorable buttons!

Aren't they just perfect for spring??

{showered}

2011-04-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning, my mom & I headed over to my in-laws for a shower with my hubby's side of the family.

It was thrown by my sis-in-law & my brother-in-laws lovely girlfriend & boy do they throw a great shower!

It was full of fun games, great food, amazing gifts, lots of laughs.

And of course, cute little babies!

I had so much fun & now that I am back home, I am having so much fun going through all the gift bags & adoring the itty bitty cute items!

{fill in the blank friday}

2011-04-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Happy April!!

I'm so excited to the weekend! Today we head over to have my first shower!

1. The best prank I ever pulled was a fake spider in my brother's bed .

2. A day without quality time with my hubby is a day wasted.

3. The most important things in life are my faith & my family .

4. I dream of my baby boy .

5. I dread labor & delivery =/ .

6. A discovery I made this week was spring cleaning is hard work for a pregnant lady .

Have a great weekend!

{adore:gift wrapping}

2011-03-31T10:37:00.000-07:00

Isn't this the perfect touch of tissue paper to add to our gift?

I must use this DIY!

{decorate}

2011-03-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have added a new section to my website today-decorate!

Right now, I only have this adorable flower plaques but I hope to fill it with lots of lovely items to decorate your nursery with!

{thank you victoria}

2011-03-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Victoria's Secret, it's like you made this suit just for me!

How did you know that I was having a baby at the beginning of the summer & would in no way be able to pull off wearing my usual bikini this summer & actually make a one piece that doesn't look like something my grandmother would wear??

I am in love with the fact that I could wear this suit is so many different ways!

{wednesday wish list}

2011-03-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Aren't these necklaces adorable?

What a great way to celebrate the coming of Spring!

{shop update}

2011-03-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

Just a quick shop update!

This fun Ipod soaps & a new set of crocheted bibs have been added to my shop with week.

It's been great getting some crafting done & adding a few new goodies to my shop just in time for Spring!

{30 Weeks}

2011-03-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

I can not believe I have reached 30 weeks already! It seems like just yesterday I saw those sweet double lines! Now, it seems like over night, my belly has popped out & is bigger then ever!

I have been in serious nesting mode this past week, cleaning & organizing every closet & cupboard in our place & make room for all the baby stuff we need for this little guy. Now to finish up my spring cleaning this week...

This baby is moving like crazy now & it will be weird when he is here to not have this feeling in my belly anymore.

This weekend the baby showers start & I so excited to start getting some super cute goodies for the little guy!

{wishing on anthro}

2011-03-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am wishing the weather would warm up & the snow would stop follow so I can wear this adorable outfit!

{kickers}

2011-03-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

The little guy got these adorable Nike hand-me-downs from his cousin Cam & the way this little guy has been kicking makes me think he will get lots of use out of these tennis shoes!

Everything is so much cuter when it comes in this itty bitty size!

{feature & giveaway:desantis vintage}

2011-03-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce to you Rachel from DeSantis Vintage!

I had the opportunity to get to know Rachel better; I hope you will take the time to get to know her too!

How did your shop begin?

My shop began right out of the blue. When I say out of the blue, I mean straight from left field.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that it was completely unexpected and unplanned. I've always collected vintage dresses so I have a ton of them, but I never really thought I would sell any of them. Then, one day I stumbled upon this little site called Etsy. I found myself buying loads upon loads of vintage dresses from various shops. It was like a light bulb went off in my head, I thought, "Hey! I can do this too!" That day I threw on some dresses, modeled them in my hallway and viola! DeSantis Vintage was born.

What is your creative process?

Most of my dresses come from my personal collection, and let me tell you it's quite large. However, when I'm on the hunt for some new vintage, I basically just grab whatever catches my eye. Be it a vibrant color, or an interesting cut, I just like whatever looks good!

What has been your biggest crafting disaster?

I took a gamble on a fabulous red vintage dress with cloth buttons all down the front. It is very 50's politics with a 20's flapper feel. It's really beautiful but the fabric buttons were a little worn in the middle. I tried repairing them to no avail, fabric buttons are the most difficult thing to restore! I still have the dress but I need to figure out the best way to repair the buttons and match the fabric.

What are your current projects?

I'm currently trying to spread the word about my shop. I do a lot of contests in order to win advertising, I'm into Google AdWords, and learning SEO optimization is on the top of my list!

Any advice for those who want to start their own shop?

I think social networking is really important. When you're really excited about something, all you want to do is talk about it and show all your friends, right? So, websites like twitter and Facebook are excellent ways to reach further than your immediate reach. Getting the word out about what you have to offer via blogging is also great way to jump start anything you have to offer. The more people you tell, the more exposure and word-of-mouth you'll get! Besides getting the word out, photographing your items properly is key. If you have clothing and it's dingy, WASH IT! Using all five photo slots Etsy provides is important. Let your customers see various angles and views of your items. You'll only benefit! You can also use interesting backgrounds and invest in a quality camera. Take the extra time and put the energy into representing what you have to it's maximum potential. With the prepping, washing, picture taking/posing (yes, I model all my own clothing which is the mostly commonly asked question I get), description writing, and uploading of photos, one dress takes me almost an hour to list. It's a lot of work, but the end result is so worth it and I wouldn't want to do it any other way.

Find more of Rachel here-

Blog- www.desantisvintage.blogspot.com

Facebook- www.facebook.com/desantisvintage

Twitter- www.twitter.com/desantisvintage

Etsy- www.rdesant86.etsy.com

PS. Rachel is currently in the midst of a $30.00 store credit giveaway.

All you have to do is favorite her shop on Etsy and RSVP to the event on my facebook page www.facebook.com/desantisvintage by March 30th.

She will be making a video drawing one name from a bowl old school style and then it'll be posted to her blog and Facebook of announcing the winner on April 1st so go check it out!

{adore}

2011-03-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

I'm loving when I stop in to Etsy to update my shop a bit (lower shipping costs, yay!) that all I see is lovely crocheted granny squares!

Love it!

{belly}

2011-03-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

Today, I started a new crocheting project & the yarn ball turned out to be as big as my baby belly!

It's gonna be a fun project!

{crocheted bibs}

2011-03-16T09:27:00.001-07:00

A couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon the most adorable hand crocheted bibs & I have been working hard since then to whip up a bib pattern of my very own.

Here is my first set, finished & ready to ship!

Check out my flickr to see the whole set.

{weekend wrap-up}

2011-03-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, my parents came to visit & we had a blast!

Our weekend was filled with lots of great food, fun games & outings.

This is my cute sis-in-law climbing into a barrel at the winery.

Saturday, we headed to a local winery where we toured & enjoying some wine, well, my family enjoyed wine, I enjoyed the cheese.

As always, the weekend went to fast, now I'm back at work & hopefully with have some fun new things added to my shop this week!

What did you do this weekend??

{fill in the blank friday}

2011-03-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

Yay! It's the weekend!

1. My biggest accomplishment in life thus far is finding the courage to start up my own shop .

2. My favorite place to sit in my house is in the corner seat of the couch so i can put my feet up & read .

3. My fashion philosophy is to wear whatever I feel fabulous in .

4. Something every girl should have is a great pair of heels .

5. If you looked in my purse right now you'd find.... a date planner, mints, wallet, flashlight, kleenex, sunglasses, chapstick, fingernail clippers, makeup bag, bow, pen, headache pills & lotion .

6. My favorite music right now is really anything that I can dance too. I really don't listen to a lot of music, mostly I watch TV .

7. My favorite part of my body is my belly =) .

{wednesday wish list}

2011-03-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

I am swooning over this adorable father/son tie & bow tie set!

This is a definite must have for my boys!

{they're back!!}

2011-03-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

Today I have added some of my fave soaps to my site!

I'm in love with these hot watch soaps!

{craft fair}

2011-03-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

These past couple of weeks have been crazy busy for me as I have been hard at work getting for my craft fair that I attended today. My poor apartment has been collected dust, my blog has been cast aside, emails have gone unanswered, my poor hubby has seen very little of me, but it was well worth it. I met lots of new people & made a bit of a profit.

With a baby on the way, my craft fair days may be put aside until the holiday season so life my slow down a bit until the little guy gets here then my time will be spent feeding & changing diapers rather then crocheting & sewing & I can't wait!

What have you been up to lately??

{adore:wedges}

2011-03-01T14:03:00.000-08:00

The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining more & the snow is melting away...Spring may be around the corner!

And I am so ready to have my baby, get my normal sized feet back & wear some of these!

{fill in the blank friday}

2011-02-25T15:53:00.000-08:00

Finally! Friday!

1. I am currently obsessed with itty bitty baby boy things, crocheting & book reading .

2. Today I am tired because, I don't sleep well. One of the less glamorous parts of pregnancy .

3. The age I am is 25 and the age I feel is 20 still .

4. My favorite place is my cozy couch with a good book, a fluffy pillow, a cozy blank & a wild cherry pepsi .

5. Something I have been procrastinating is getting ready for this craft fair I'm going to next Sunday .

6. The last thing I purchased was car seat for $50 .

7. The thing I love most about my home is that I get to share it with my hubby but he lets me decorate it however I want .

{wednesday wish list}

2011-02-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with this lovely dress. Now I really wish Spring was here so I could wear it!

{sneak peak}

2011-02-23T10:01:00.000-08:00

Here's a sneak peak of my latest crocheting endeavor. Now that the weather is turning more towards Spring (even though the feet of snow sitting outside my window say otherwise), I've been dying to start crocheting some new goods besides winter hats.

I can't wait until I finish up & can share the finished product with you!