shop update

I've been working crazy hard filling orders and trying to turn the many visions I have in my head into tangible goods. I've been wanting to offer baby accessories (bibs, blankets) for such a long time, but just haven't made the time to do it. So here they are, the first of the batch! Yes... I have a thing for polka dots.... the "girly" version of the blanket is almost done, as well as a few more bibs.



And thank you to all of you for your sweet wishes on my upcoming new arrival! I'm definitely curious how the dynamics of our family are going to change when we go from a three-kid family to a four-kid family. Any of you out there with four or more little ones? All advice, suggestions, and helpful hints are much wanted!

ABC's

I was tagged by Elliebelle to do the ABCs about me. Here are the rules (per Katie!) Tag the ABCs about you. Each player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.


random family photo :)

A- Attached or single: Attached


B- Best Friend: Um, since my 5 year old is "helping" me fill this out, I'll say Rye



C-Cake or Pie: Cake. For sure. I actually pretty much detest most pies. (I'm an odd duck, I know.)


D-Day: I can't have just one answer here. Depends on the time of day. Love me some Saturday mornings! And Thursday evenings (this answer may change once LOST goes on hiatus:), and pretty much every afternoon in between, when we break out the popsicles.

E- Essential Item: For me, personally? Blush. I love blush. Essential item for getting by in this house with all of these outgoing personalities? A sense of humor!

F- Favorite Color: constantly changing. Bright green, all shades. Sparkling apple, grass, lime. I'm loving yellow right now, bright sunshine-y yellow. I've always had a thing for purple, but mainly only for my own wardrobe and not much else. Although I did paint a bedroom a dark violet once, that was pretty amazing.


G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Gummi Worms. For sure. From Knott's Berry Farm.

H-Home town: Costa Mesa, CA


I- Indulgences: color. Anything with color, anything sold in a variety of colors, that makes me think "oooh, pretty, I need them all."


J- January or July?: July. No doubt.

K-Kids: Rye, 5 years... Apple, 3 years... Piper, 15 months... and a little one due later this year!


L-Life is incomplete without: my family


M- Marriage Date: Jan. 18


N- Number of Siblings: one, a twin brother

O- Oranges or Apples: apples!


P- Phobias or Fears: I don't know if this qualifies, but animals rattling plastic bags drives me nuts. The cat does this, and the sound drives me insane.


Q- Quote: by Oscar Wilde, supposedly on his deathbed, "UGH! These curtains! One of us has got to go!"


R- Reason To Smile: all of the children sleeping at the same time, getting to eat a meal with my husband alone, finishing a much dreamed of project, sunny days


S- Season: I love the summer, even the hot hot hot of it, but have things I love about them all

T- Tag Three: Heather, Julie, and Melissa!


U- Unknown fact about me: I have really long arms.


V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals:Is this a trick question? I am not a strict vegetarian, but I don't eat a lot of meat.

W- Worst Habit: not wearing enough sunscreen.


Y-Your favorite food: anything mexican.

Z: Zodiac Sign: Taurus.

a little japanese crafting

What I'm loving today. I've been feeling a little un-inspired for new designs, particularly when it comes to clothing. To counter the slump I've turned my attention to other accessories, blankets and bibs and the like, and pulled out the japanese craft books for some beautiful inspiration, hoping I'll snap out of it. I think it's working.


This dress on the left has completely re-captivated me. It's one of the main reasons I bought the book. I love the simplicity of it's design, and the possibility for variations. (And isn't the model darling?)




I'm loving these skirts, too. Precious. I definitely thinking the japanese-craft-book pick-me-up is doing it's thing, because the creative wheels are turning already. The book does include some patterns, albeit all in Japanese. But the diagrams are good, and I'm mainly using it for inspiration anyway so I'll be posting what I come up with. Happy crafting!

peach stripes

little mod blouse in peach stripes

it must be my month!

This has been my lucky month, in blog-land anyway! I just found out I won this lovely set of GORGEOUS washcloths from a giveaway on Jane's blog!



Aren't they amazing? I can't wait to see them in person. This is the second blog giveaway I've been lucky enough to win this month, can you believe it? On my birthday (great timing, huh?) I received this delightful package all the way from Annie across the Atlantic Ocean! I wish you could smell the sachet, I can't get enough of the lavender!



Stay tuned for my very own first blog giveaway! My one year blog anniversary is coming up, so I'll keep you posted!

strawberry fields

First strawberries of the season! What a delightful treat for the children, who have been helping Richard tend to our family garden so diligently (ok, Piper not-so-diligently) and have been anticipating eating some of our yummy harvest pretty much every single day for the last month. These berries weren't huge, I don't know if any of them will get that big, not like the ones we buy at the produce stand, but they were delicious. My first cucumber's almost ready too!

you say it's your birthday!

It's My Birthday, Too, Yeah!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Yup, it's a milestone, the big 3-0! Finally! In all seriousness, it's hard for me to believe I'm just now turning 30, I've been so excited to be "in my thirties" for quite some time, and now I am!

In honor of my birthday I put together some of my favorite handmade birthday banners found on etsy. Click on the links below for purchasing info... and party like it's your birthday, too!

thepolkadottotspot
liliandjojo
storiahome

skirt's done!

, originally uploaded by varenia.

Yay! I finished the coordinating skirt! I call this a "simple skirt" because it's pretty straightforward, with some pretty little contrast detail on the side panels. I would like to create a fancier version, maybe a "fancy skirt" that's a bit longer with a lot of fullness.

baby blouse

little mod blouse in carnation, originally uploaded by varenia.

The newest addition to the shop! I love this one!

Coordinating skirt coming soon.

I've gone RME!

I've been reading a lot about RME, but wasn't motivated to sign up for it until today when I got a sale (yay!) at my etsy shop, and saw the percentage PayPal is taking out. I've often thought... there's got to be a better way. Or at least a different way. Another option. So I've gone RME!

RME allows you to safely buy and sell online, without exposing your financial information, just like PayPal does. I haven't (and won't) give up my PayPal, I actually really like PayPal for all of the security it provides, but wanted more options to offer customers in terms of check-out, so I've taken the plunge with RME. And, for you sellers out there... they don't take a percentage of your sale! All of what you make is yours to keep! And the best part... drumroll, please... if you sign up by May 15, you will automatically earn $25! Just for signing up!

I think anyone in business on the internet should give this the once-over... no more fees!

frocks to be

I've been holed up at my sewing table, feverishly trying to meet my goal for the week. I don't think it's going to happen (a lofty goal of 10 complete new listings for my shop) but I've got quite a good start and several items complete. I love these fabrics, and must admit I'm going to have a hard time saying good-bye to some of these pieces. I've changed the way I'm listing my pieces now, weeding out the made-to-order and just listing items that are already complete, so I just have to ship them out upon an order. I may lose profit that way, if they don't sell, but that's the beauty of having two baby girls who love Mama's frocks! I think it's the worth the risk, and I've been searching for ways to save myself time lately so this makes the most sense. Can't wait until all of these pieces are complete!

downright delicious

As a mama of two little girls, I'll admit it: I'm addicted to hair clips. Originally they were the cherry on top of a very bald baby's head, but as my girls have grown the "clippie" has morphed from accessory to necessity, keeping stray hairs out of faces, giving "volume" to baby fine locks, and sometimes even giving the most tangled of hair a look that's put together. So for the last three years I've been on a quest for the perfect hair clip: modern, fun, good quality, and great colors. And now I've found it.


Founded by Ruby, a mama of two little girls (named Brave and True, how sweet is that?!) Cakies is a growing Los Angeles based company, with products available both in local boutiques and online. Looking for some extra-special frosting for your little babe? Consider something sweet!

snacktime!

When I read Tory's post, from Funky & Delightful, I knew I had to post this too! Thanks Tory!

Many of you may not know, but I used to be (and admitedly still am!) quite the Bare Naked Ladies FANATIC! So the thought of a new album would be enough to make my day, but once I found out it was a kids' album... I now know what I'll be doing on May 6!




My mind is already spinning. Will they tour? (Fingers crossed.) Will my kids love them as much as I? (Fingers, again, crossed.) Will the album be just as smart and funny and whimsical and sassy as I'm used to BNL being? (Fingers... well, you get the idea!)