A Clean Slate

Today is gorgeous.  It's sunny, temperature in the 60s, breezy... just perfect.  I have the windows open so the fresh air can wind its way around my home, bringing the freshness of this time of year inside.

I have had time for introspection these last two weeks, since beginning my new job.  The twenty minute commute in the morning is just perfect for that.  (Who'd have thought a commute could have that effect?)  It's given me quiet time to reflect on things past and things to come, and while it's so easy to dwell on the past, it's so much more productive to think about, dream, and hope for what lies ahead.

The new life and renewed life that is out my window, blooming, budding, and beckoning, is an inspiration to a new perspective for me. 

My slate is wiped clean, ready for new things to be written.

My cup overfloweth with hope, faith, and love.

And the greatest of these is... LOVE.

Here's to new beginnings and better yet... a new outlook.

***and soon to come, a new blog look!***

Etsy Eye Candy - 2.25.10

With all the budding and blooming going on around here, I can't help but get spring fever.  Luckily, Etsy has a few things to satisfy my urge for all things spring!

This gorgeous poppy clutch is from jenniferladd.  Me likey.

This beauty is a ring!  Is this not fabulous?  It's from viridian.

And my lapel is just aching to wear this - a felted wool dahlia brooch from Stemellina.

*swoon*

Anyone offering Mom Tutoring?

Somewhere in my motherhood preparation course (riiiiiiiiiiight), I must've fallen asleep during the organization and time management portion, so I'm turning to you, dear internet, for help.

How do you get your kiddos up and moving in the morning?  My current routine is turning on their lamps around 6am, coaxing them out of bed around 620am, letting them sit on the couch and drink their milks until about 650am... and then it's all downhill!  I can't seem to get them dressed, teeth brushed, hair brushed, and loaded in the car in a consistent timeframe. I need your advice and best tips on morning routines to get them up, ready, and out the door by 715am.  At the latest.

I thank you in advance for your expertise!

Oh, and keep in mind my girls are almost 3 and 5...

*** BTW... please tune in tomorrow night to support Canada's Joanie Rochette, who unexpectedly lost her mom on Sunday.  She's competing for her mother - all of us moms (and daughters) need to be rooting for her to win the Gold.

Battle Wounds

Do you ever have one of those days when you just feel like life is really taking a toll on you, and it shows?

I've had several of those lately.

I find myself looking in the mirror, and quickly looking away from the reflection before me.  Otherwise, I'd have to face the reality of my battle wounds...

the wrinkles beginning to take a permanent place on my face,

the stretch marks on my hips,

the bags under my eyes,

the varicose veins,

the freckles,

the "mommy tummy".

Age, pregnancy, motherhood, lack of sleep, lack of exercise,

LIFE.

It's all there, staring back at me.

Do I wear it as a badge of honor, like a scar?  Embrace these things as reminders of years past?

Or do I do what I can to erase it, cover it, camouflage it?

Some days I just don't know.

In the Mood to Craft...

My hands are seriously in need of some crafting.

I, unfortunately, cannot pull myself away from watching Ice Dancing to be productive!

*sigh*

This week has been so strange, starting the new job and all.  It's so hard being in a new place, with new people, and a new position for which there is so much to learn!  I miss the comfort of my old routine, of the everyday familiarity and ease with which I was able to work.

That is why, in the midst of this chaos, I need to craft.

The creative process is pretty much the only thing over which I have control at this point.

5.

From this:

to this... in the blink of an eye.

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl.

Etsy Eye Candy - 2.15.10

Ever since tinting that icing for the blue elephants this weekend, I've had robin's egg blue on my mind...

Loving this from TheSilverDog.

This sugar bowl and creamer set makes me want to serve coffee all day!  It's from Etsy seller dbabcock.

And, oh what I would give to be a tiny little bird just so I could live here.  From DoorCountyWoodworks.

All photos courtesy of aforementioned Etsy sellers.

Priceless...

So Big Sis had a big day yesterday... and although she doesn't officially turn five for a few more days, already she seems so much...
  older.

Eegads, she is a knockout.  We are in trouble in about ten years.

This year's chosen theme was "zoo animals", so these cupcakes fit the bill quite nicely.  The idea is one of many fantastic cupcakes from the book "Hello Cupcake!".  There are lions, and monkeys, and elephants.

Oh my.

They were a big hit... and delish, if I do say so myself, which is not a good thing when there are leftover cupcakes in the kitchen beckoning as we speak!

All of Big Sis' friends were there to join in the fun, including her bff above, both wearing their edible elephant ears.

Say that ten times really fast.

Edible Elephant Ears, edible elephant ears...

I digress.

  I've noticed a interesting phenomenon lately at the parties we've attended, and it proved itself yesterday as well.  Even as early as age five, the gender separation has already begun.  Only two little boys came to the party, but almost every girl was there.  Isn't that funny?

It doesn't appear to have been noticed by the birthday girl, who had a great time.

She added to the pile of things she just received for Christmas with all of the gifts she was given.  I have only two words to describe the state of my home since yesterday.

Zhu-zhu.

All in all, it was a fantastic day.  The weather cooperated and the sun shone for the first time in weeks.  The ground was dry enough to allow jumping, running, and cruising in the Barbie jeep.  We were able to spend the day with the people we love the most.

Jump Castle Rental:  $95

Decorations and Food:  $100

Watching your baby girl grow up before your eyes: *weep*

Priceless.

Day One of the New Beginning

So yesterday, I left behind the place I've worked for the past, almost, six years...  It was hard, because I have a lot of memories attached to that phase of my career.  Namely, my children.  I took that job when I was 7 weeks pregnant with Big Sis, desperate to get out of working evenings in the ER.  Five and a half years and two gorgeous girls later, it's time to close that book and turn the page on something new.

But first - there's a birthday party to be had and cupcakes waiting to be turned into zoo animals.

Stay tuned for a recap.

T minus 1...

One day to go at work.

I am a mix of emotions.  Fear, sadness, excitement, worry, anxiety, uncertainty...

Hope.

Here's to a new beginning.

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.

Maya Angelou

Preparing for... 5.

As I've been busy with prep-work for Big Sis' birthday party this weekend, my mind has been reeling with thoughts about my first-born growing up.  Up until this point, it's been relatively carefree in the parenting department once potty training was a success.  Soon, I'll have homework to tend with and conduct issues to resolve... and hurt feelings and embarassment and kiddos that are just plain mean to my baby girl. 

It scares me.

As quickly as time flies, it's no surprise that we're already at this milestone age of 5, but man it happened so suddenly it seems!  My baby girl, my pre-schooler, will soon be a school-age child.

*gulp*

If you have any tips on how to get ready for this, I'd love to hear them (especially if it involves how to get your zombie-child to get up and moving in the morning). 

Until then, I better study up on my reading, writing, and 'rithmetic.  It's been a while.

EEK Week!

It is a roller coaster of a week...

I have, count 'em, three days left at my old job and...
six days before I start my new one.  (EEK)

I've got a pile of Valentines to get ready for the kids' V-Day parties at school, but wishing I had time and energy to make some like Lindsey over at the Pleated Poppy.  They are so fabulous.

I'm awaiting my Oriental Trading order's arrival so I can prepare for Big Sis' Zoo Birthday Bash on Saturday - I'm quite behind on Martha Stewart's timeline ;).

I'm watching the weather like a hawk, praying my 60 degree, partly cloudy day remains for Saturday...

{deep breath}

It's Baaaack! Etsy Eye Candy - 2.08.10

After a long hiatus, I'm bringing back the Etsy Eye Candy feature, cause I just can't get enough of the fabulous finds on Etsy.  So, without further ado... here's some aqua and red valentine love!

This beauty is from Etsy seller pinkdragonfly98.

I have a thing for sweet little birdies.  These are from ooty.

And you know you love this one from JessicaWoodford.

Yes, I am well aware that there are two pettiskirt kits waiting to be finished at my house, so don't get any ideas that I'm ordering this tutu.

At least not yet.

Happy Monday!

Super Sunday

Today is a super kinda day cause, you know, this super game is happening today...

And because a special little man is getting a superhero present today...

And because I get to spend the day with these super little chicks.

Super-dee-duper indeed.

Oh yeah.

And the winner of the super giveaway was...

Kristin!

Kristin - email me with your details so I can get these out to you in the mail!

Anthro Tutorial on Made by Lex!

There is a fabulous tutorial over on Made by Lex that you have to see.  She took on an Anthropolification challenge and excelled - I can't wait to try it myself!

Go see.  Now!

Coming up later... a giveaway winner announcement!! 

Sooo Much to Do!

So I wasn't able to fit in any sewing after work today, meaning it'll have to wait until tomorrow.  I'll be a busy chick this weekend!

To do: 
Superhero cape for Owen
Organizing in the office
Laundry (Does it ever end?)
Attend birthday parties #1 and #2
Clean this nasty house!

OH.

And planning a birthday party for a certain little chickie who's about to turn *gasp*

FIVE.

Yeah.

Finally Friday - Giveaway Ending Tonight!!

This has been an incredibly long week.  It seems today took forever to get here!

I officially have one week left at my current job before starting the new one, and I have to admit it's an emotionally draining process.  I'm basically focusing my time on finishing my current projects as much as possible and working to train my team to carry my duties until a replacement comes along.  This is a task in and of itself, but I keep getting visits from my staff, pleading with meto stay. I guess I should be flattered, but their comments really tug at my heartstrings as I slowly try to break away from the family I've known for the past 5 and a half years.

It's sad.

But I'm so excited.

See how this could be draining?

I'm hoping to finish up a little early today so I can make it home for some sewing before I pick up the girls.  If I'm not so lucky, I probably will have to delay crafting to the nighttime... so expect some project pics tomorrow!  I have a ton I want to do...

Oh, and if you haven't signed up for the Lollipop Kids felt cookie giveaway, hurry!  It ends tonight at midnight!!

A Rose of a Tutorial...

I was waiting on dh to get home from the gym this morning, so I decided to take on some early morning crafting.  This tutorial for Rose Barrettes is from the purl bee, a fabulous site for crafters of all types.  If you haven't visited the purl bee, you must do so right away!  And while you're at it, sign up for the email updates - that's how I was alerted of this great tutorial!

It's beautiful, tiny, girly things like these that make me so happy to be a mommy to two little chickies.  What fun would it have been to make this, knowing it wouldn't grace my girls' blonde strands??

I'm digging into my felt stash to see if I can come up with some more color combinations... whee!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Can anyone else get through this day without thinking of this?



ME EITHER!  Love it!

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY TO YOU!!