I've Got My Hands Full

This really hit me today

2012-01-19T17:01:00.003-06:00

This was Mark installing washer & dryer at my mom and dad's Texas place.

2012-01-01T18:14:00.001-06:00

Christmas in Texas

2012-01-01T18:03:00.000-06:00

All of the Rush grandchildren were in Texas for Christmas 2011.

(l-r) Mason, 11, Charlie, 8, Madison, 8, Matilda, 7, Carson, 6, Madox, 5.5

I didn't take too many pictures. . .in fact, I haven't been taking too many lately because I am so far behind in scrapbooking and I mistakenly kid myself that if I don't take any pictures, I'll be able to get caught up. Ha.

Set of 3, custom

2011-11-19T12:57:00.002-06:00

A new favorite journal

2011-11-13T11:48:00.000-06:00

I just had to share the photos of this custom journal I did this week, using this new paper pack, from Katie's Wish. It was supposed to be Christmas-y, but I just loved the colors and used it for a teen journal.

It doesn't look Christmas-y, does it? I really have enjoyed using my recent digital paper purchases. I love that I can just reprint a page if I need another one, and not have to go to the store. How convenient. Now, if I just had a 12x12 printer, life would be perfect!

Our booth at Moore Garrett

2011-11-06T09:39:00.000-06:00

A few of us local etsy sellers have created a booth at a local Antiques Shop, called Moore Garrett. Here is a shot of our stuff. If you are local, stop by Downtown Belton, Main Street.

Pumpkin Carving Contest at The Fulmer's

2011-11-06T09:36:00.000-06:00

2011 - Another winning pumpkin by Matilda!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-06T09:35:00.000-06:00

Fwd:

2011-10-19T20:35:00.002-05:00

Guess this is sorta a big fish.

Offshore - Venice, LA

alice lee photography: richard + ashley

2011-09-28T18:22:00.000-05:00

alice lee photography: richard + ashley: richard is leaving in october to go to paraguay for two years on a mission trip so ashley and richard wanted to document their relationship...

The XO in the photo with the kiss is mine! I ran out and had them use it as a photo prop! Beautiful.

I was on the front page of etsy

2011-09-27T14:51:00.003-05:00

After being a seller for over 2 years, I was finally in a treasury that was on the front page. Here it is.

This was in the couch

2011-09-22T20:17:00.000-05:00

it's a red skinned potatoe

Enough rain to actually pour off the roof!!

2011-09-17T19:12:00.001-05:00

Finally!!!!!

2011-09-17T19:05:00.001-05:00

A little bit of a new design

2011-09-13T10:48:00.000-05:00

Really liked using the big shot to cut out the envelope for the message to peek out.

Lovin' these clothes pin flowers on a stick

2011-09-13T10:46:00.001-05:00

These are made from this year's new Stampin Up In Colors. They are available 2011-2013

Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder

etsy listing

And these were the new colors last year. Available until 2012.

Blushing Bride, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade

etsy listing

Made this today

2011-09-10T16:00:00.000-05:00

and I sewed it! Be afraid, be very afraid.

I've been seeing so many different designs of banners and bunting on etsy, that I decided to see what I could whip up on my own. It was just plain burlap with a matching "ribbon" along the top. But, then, typical of my love for all things paper related, I added the black, red and ivory scalloped circles along the top. I'm thinking it needs letters of some kind along the triangles, and of course, I was thinking "LOVE", but then thoughts I'd wait and see if anything else inspired me. And, now that I know I can actually do it, I might make a longer one that says something else - welcome, is another that is coming to mind.

Thoughts?

Moral Support

2011-09-10T11:45:00.000-05:00

For the past few months, Madox has been having "dreams" during the night when he's sleeping. Usually, this leads to him roaming into our room and we wake to find him curled up on the floor. This is how we found him the other night - I guess he roamed into the girls room and needed a little help from his sis.

This is the scene the other night when I went to check on everyone before going to bed. It was pitch black so this is the end result of using the "night time" setting on my camera. Not bad, huh?

This is what brought the camera out.

Packaging

2011-09-08T17:14:00.000-05:00

A post of a blog I follow is the inspiration for this post on etsy packaging.

While my packaging is not as nice as the ones shown here, I still think mine is pretty nice. It's scrap paper Mark had from work (saved from the dumpster) with a little raffia and a handmade thank you note.

A personalized new baby journal prepared for a Shower Hostess.

Added this new little touch with the ribbon closure. Sometimes these handmade journals with their thick covers do no close completely. This bugs me a little so I added this detail to compensate for the (potential) slight gap between the cover and pages.

Here is the journal wrapped up in the packaging paper and raffia.

My handmade thank you note - a Top Note die cut from Stampin Up, folded in half. Another die cut "thanks" secured to the top. Inside is my business card.

Mark Made It - shaker shabby chic peg rack

2011-09-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

I am still in the process of photographing the peg racks (which are not easy to actually photograph well) for listing on etsy, but since I was blogging, I'll share one photo here.

I also got really crazy . . .

2011-09-05T10:27:00.000-05:00

and opened another etsy shop. I know, I am a total glutton for punishment, but Mark and I have started salvaging all of the hardwood flooring scraps from my dad's place and turning them into the cutest wood wall hanging vases and peg racks. It just didn't seem to "go" with the other items in my shop, so the new shop is called. . .wait for it, those that know us will laugh. . .

Mark Made It

Ok, for those of you that don't know us personally, the name is kind of ironic in that Mark can literally make (or fix) almost anything. I get these (crazy) ideas about making dad's wood scraps into some teacher gifts and he is left to figure out the details (size, how to hang it, etc.).

Here are a few photos to help tell the story.

Here is "dad" and the hardwood flooring he is using on the ceilings of the Texas house he's renovating. Every single room in this house (originally built in the 60's and quite awful when we started renovation - search blog for "property is you're curious) has either oak (pink, swamp or red) or maple ceilings. Photo 1 is maple, photo 2 is oak and the photo right above is a combination of the two, during the staining process.

Our projects so far.

"Bloom" wall hanging vase (with mason jar vase)

chalkboard paint vinyl - to write a little message

The teacher gifts for the first day of school

Maggie's Journal

2011-09-05T10:10:00.000-05:00

Custom Order this weekend for a journal for Maggie. Love the colors on this.

First Day - New School

2011-08-28T17:05:00.000-05:00

August 22, 2011

The first day of school for all of my kids. I have a Kindergartener, a First Grader, a Second Grader and a Fifth Grader! Phew. We have also left our local public school and are attending a Charter School, which is closer to our school. Proximity really had nothing to do with our move, but more so some learning challenges/issues with a few of the kids.

It was 7:30am and already the sun was brightly shining.

Tillie with her teacher.

Madison waiting.

Mason waiting at his "office" (that's what they called their individual learning stations, aka desks).

This little stinker, not wanting to cooperate!

That face!

Love this kid.

Well, I do love all of them.

But this one is my BABY!!

And he started Kindergarten!

WAAAAHH

Great Balls of Fire! I've Made Some Cards

2011-08-28T16:50:00.000-05:00

Years, and I do mean YEARS ago, I was a card maker. I joined Stampin Up in like 2001 specifically to make cards. It was awesome fun and I made cards for all occasions - kid birthdays, Christmas cards, birthday party invitations. . .you get the picture. Fast forward to August, 2011 where the only cards I manage to make are about 20 Christmas cards that I only send to people OUT SIDE of the state of Texas. Lame, I know, but it's the best I can do.

Well, I am part of an awesome etsy team, EtsyGreetings Team, and we are having a card swap early next month. These are the cards I'll be submitting.

Unlike my journals and wood hanging letters, I seriously labor over card making. I'm so pleased with how they turned out, and I hope you'll leave me a note how you like them, too.

Teacher Gifts - First Day of School

2011-08-21T13:37:00.000-05:00

You may recall last year's post, Teacher Bribes, when I shared my cute teacher gifts for the first day of school. It's no secret that I want to give my kids every advantage and will even resort to bribing, if necessary.

I think I might have outdone myself this year. It's a combination of a few things I have seen here and there, plus a few projects I want to add to my shop, so without further ado. . .I present the 2011-2012 First Day of School Teacher Gifts

And, yes, I am missing one. . .but Mason's teacher is a man (yikes) and I'm just not sure I'm feelin' a crafty gift for him. Thoughts?

We {heart} the Beach

2011-08-21T13:24:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we went down to South Padre Island National Seashore, also referred to as THE BEACH! Mark wanted to go all the way to the end, which was a 60 mile drive on the beach. We made many stops along the way to swim, pick up shells, have lunch and play.

The boys were chilling out in the girls' room.

Can you spot their ever-present babies?

I can't believe Mason didn't try to hide.

Salty Dog!

The girls did their own sunscreen (I know, major mom fail there) so their shoulders were burnt and hurting, hence the straps came off the shoulders.

Yeah, 2 decent pictures of Mason in one weekend.

She is rarely camera shy! Stinker!

Found this washed up along the beach! Weird.

It's next to impossible to get everyone looking the same way at the same time. . .oh well.

A "sculpture" made of beach findings (trash) someone left behind. There was plenty of trash along the beach, it was just sort of odd that someone took the time to make it into something.

Another "find", a safety hat.

The next day on the trip back . . .it's hard bein' a dog.

Catching up - Madison's Birthday

2011-08-21T13:15:00.000-05:00

For the past 2 or 3 years, we have spent Madison's birthday "tubing" on the Guadalupe River. This year, however, we were infromed that due to the draught we're currently experiencing, there is not enough water in the river to tube. Rather than have her birthday be a total bust, we went to a local water park, where there was a lazy river. Not quite the same, but we made do.

This was the night before opening her presents.

I got her a sweet little necklace from this etsy shop.

She also got all her candles in one breath! Way to go Madison.

Hey, check out this feedback!

2011-08-11T20:48:00.000-05:00

Muy buena persona y vendedora! Envío muy rápido, muy atenta. Very good seller and person! Fast delivery to Spain.

Some gold on her Golden!

2011-08-08T08:58:00.000-05:00

Feedback

2011-07-30T20:37:00.000-05:00

I received this feedback today from one of the clients I made a custom-sized journal for last week.

"Oh Tricia, Thank you so much! The custom journal exactly meets my description, but is much lovelier than I could have even imagined! I deeply appreciate your commitment to creating a gift that suits us perfectly. We will certainly treasure this throughout our marriage! :) THANK YOU!!!"

Even though it's 8:30pm, this just made my day!

Richner Randomness

2011-07-30T15:15:00.000-05:00

This is Madox - 5 years old - leaning to knee board. He loved it.

Few things are better than a fresh pedicure.

Here's a rare photo of me (usually I'm busy taking pix of everyone else and also don't particularly care to be photographed)

'Course, I could take pictures of this one all day long.

Sisters!

"Little George" {apparently, this it the lure's name}

Just a silly boy.

And a silly girl

A Mom's Memorial Journal

2011-07-26T19:31:00.000-05:00

Just had to get a close up on the butterfly details on the cover.

Wedding Journal

2011-07-26T19:18:00.000-05:00

This was a custom 5.5 x 9 journal that was made especially for a bride to give her fiance after their wedding. It had to fit in this box the bride previously purchased.

Wedding Box

She's pretty proud

2011-07-22T16:41:00.001-05:00

Madison made this

2011-07-22T16:40:00.001-05:00

at quilting camp this week.

Matilda's first lost tooth

2011-07-15T20:54:00.001-05:00

Age: 6 years, 7 months.
It was only loose for 3 days. Madison lets hers be loose for like a year before it actually comes out. Mason yanks his out as soon as he can...as soon as it's even slightly loose.

She wiggled it for a day or 2 and then let mama pull it! So brave!!

Madison & her best friend, Thomas

2011-07-15T20:48:00.001-05:00

2 Special Journals

2011-07-14T17:02:00.000-05:00

Ordinarily, I really enjoy posting the custom journals I create for various people and purposes. . .however, today, I am not so thrilled to share. It's not that I'm not proud of the designs, it's just the subject matter and purpose behind them. Allow me to demonstrate.

In the span of a few days, my client's best friend lost a child and then also had a cousin lose a child. One was 2 years old and one was 4, and were apparently otherwise unrelated and due to different causes. I was happy to provide her with memorial journals, which she will give to her friend and cousin, and hopefully provide some peace and comfort to these families as they journal their memories of each of their loved one. I can tell you that this is one client I won't ever forget.

I've had a really busy week

2011-07-14T16:54:00.000-05:00

which is to be assumed since I didn't have the kids really going to anything this week. Mason was at a church camp that has "tool time" in the morning and "sports" in the afternoon. He seems to enjoy it. In fact, he does the best when he has near constant activity.

I hope you will leave me a comment on how wonderful this picture looks. This is a finished product on a custom order, but it's also the first photo on my new "system" for trying to photograph my larger names and word wall art. I think that the pictures may be limiting the sales of these items. So, Mark had to go over to my dad's where there was a large pile of 4 x 8 (feet) sheets of drywall. We are borrowing it for now. He also borrowed some paint and he painted up this giant sheet of drywall, hung it up on his work area of the craft room (which I had already been inching my way into with my crafts, pushing the fishing gear and tools further to the edges of the space), and even mounted the display shelf right onto the board.

I will now be re-photographing (for maybe the 5th time) the wood words. I'll let you know how it goes. If this is successful, this may have to be submitted to etsy for some sort of space make over or seller's tips section. Heaven knows, I have been working on these pictures for-ever!

Ashlynn's letter

2011-07-11T12:39:00.000-05:00

The parents picked out the sock monkey theme before finding out the gender, so it was a little challenge to add some girlie pieces to the brown themed monkeys. I think the name plate along with the flowers and flowing ribbon, says girlie just right.

Lake pictures

2011-07-11T12:36:00.000-05:00

She could not catch a break with this suit - permanent wedgie!

Mason has entered the phase where he does not want his photo taken.

She'll always give me a smile.

See what happens when you don't cooperate? A photo of you sleeping gets posted to the blog!

Now he's happy - took a nap and caught a fish!

He's not complaining about posing now!

Marley - relentlessly pursuing the tennis ball. They float so nice!

Yesterday, we had a little break from the heat (only 99 instead of 103) provided by these beautiful clouds

We also had about 10 sprinkles of rain fall on us - right when we were eating!

Camp

2011-07-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

For the first time ever, Mason is going to sleep away camp. It's only about 1.5 hours from our home, but for a kid that's never been away from home, it's really far. He'd been so excited and not afraid at all for the past month leading up to it, but when it came time for us to leave, he started to cry.

His cabin. Of course everyone was helping him unload his gear.

His bunk. Excellent location right next to the air conditioner.

The tears and resulting group hug.

The camp instructions specifically said not to call unless there is an emergency. Does texting count? It's not really "calling". Right?

With my last sight of him crying, I couldn't stand not knowing if he was adjusting, so I texted the camp director and was later informed that he was "doing great".

Phew.

Lame Vacation Photographer

2011-07-05T13:29:00.000-05:00

I toted my camera something like 1,600 miles and only took about 8 pictures. I had good intentions, but with the salt water sand and constantly in motion children, the only pictures I have are of the wild horses that were on the beach right in front of our house. Beautiful wild horses run free on the Outer Banks and these were in our front yard.

I also took a run (actually a walk, but don't tell) on the beach and came within maybe 10 feet of 4 more. Just gorgeous.

A thought to ponder

2011-06-22T16:40:00.000-05:00

Here is one of those things I ripped out of a magazine saying to myself "I'm going to share that on my blog" and now I actually am. {Truth be told, I have the intention of sharing a lot more than I actually do}

Attributed to French poet Pierre Reverdy:

There is no love.
There are only proofs of love.

Thoughts? Opinions?

More of mine (thoughts and opinions) to come later.

Summer: It's Tough

2011-06-21T17:11:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, 5:05pm

End of School - more events

2011-06-04T10:25:00.000-05:00

Yeah, school ended at noon on Wednesday, June 1. Here is the rest of the event photos from their awards and graduation.

Here is Madison, the Principal and her teacher.

Everyone looking at their awards

This picture is for Pop - and is supposed to show her missing tooth; a tooth which held on by one thread of a cell for weeks! She will not pull her loose teeth, at all. This was actually got knocked out at her swimming party a few days before!

Tillie in "procession" to graduation.

Waiting for her name to be called.

Etsy Greetings Team - Challenge

2011-06-03T19:13:00.000-05:00

Love this website - http://katieswish.blogspot.com/

She offers free digital downloads (my NEW favorite thing! who knew it was so easy?), and also has digital scrapbook paper for sale in her etsy shop.

One of her designs was the winner of the etsy greetings team June challenge. We all have to create and submit an original card using this paper design.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74722723/buy-one-get-one-free-sale-the-lake

Here is the card I made

And then I also made this cutie-pie mini bird house. {Apparently, bird houses are H-O-T right now because there are tons of them in ALL of the craft stores right now.} I had picked some up at Michael's months ago, not knowing what I was going to do with them, but something about this paper said "put me on a birdhouse." LOVE this cobalt blue color.

Pre-K Graduation

2011-05-21T14:03:00.000-05:00

These next 2 weeks before school officially ends marks the busiest time in a mom's year: attending graduations, teas and award programs, not to mention field trips and conferences.

So without further ado, I present the first "end of the year program" in what is sure to be a long series of many. Madox's pre-k graduation and program.

There were 3 songs to be sung.

One song was about 5 monkeys that were teasing a crocodile so they all got eaten.

And then there was something abut rainbows, but I couldn't understand the words.

Then it was time to graduate. Madox, with his attention span of a gnat, was starting to bore at this point.

Here he is receiving his rolled up piece of paper that represents a diploma. Great picture too of Donna, his teacher. Oh well.

And, as is mandatory at all of these events, here is the forced family shot.

If these were the 2 best ones, you can only guess what the others looked like. Did I happen to mention that the only way I got them to sit still long enough for these shots was to threaten no cookies and punch (standard refreshments at these shindigs, but kids never tire of 'em!)

Coming next week: Swimming party field trip, 2nd grade awards, 4th grade author's tea and kindergarten graduation. Check back for more exciting shots of the backs of strangers' heads! woo!

Projects this week

2011-05-21T13:45:00.000-05:00

Besides getting a bunch of loose ends wrapped up on various projects, I also shipped these items.

Today is my baby's birthday

2011-05-15T08:52:00.000-05:00

This boy does not like being called a baby. "I am not a baby. I am 5 years old!"

5 years and 37 weeks ago I was not a happy girl finding out another baby was on it's way. One sister was 6 months old and the other sister was just 22 months old.

Of course it just look one look into those giant blue eyes and I was a goner!

LOVE!

LOVE THIS BOY!

He is funny. He is happy. And he makes me laugh OUT LOUD every day.

Happy Birthday my sweet big boy.

Do you love butterflies?

2011-04-19T20:28:00.000-05:00

I do! Especially in one of my favorite colors - Kiwi Kiss (Stampin Up In Color, 2008-2009? retired).

Check me out

2011-04-16T14:02:00.003-05:00

Enter to win one of my handmade journals.

Lucy

2011-04-15T14:24:00.000-05:00

A custom journal for Lucy's mom. This one measures 6 inches by 8 inches and has unlined white paper inside. ASK, and you shall receive!

PS. I've always loved the cutie pie little blue bird pattern on this paper. I'm so glad I got to use it for a journal.

This is for a mom of 8 kids!

2011-04-12T13:56:00.000-05:00

I joked and told her I was going to have to add more pages! This is a new larger size as well - 7 1/2 x 10 with 200 inner pages.

Orders shipped this morning

2011-04-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

for a new baby's nursery

for a new baby

First Birthday memory journal

4 sisters - journals for all

Customer photos

2011-03-30T14:24:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I made custom letters for a mom for her 2 daughters' rooms. She shared photos with me today of them "installed." I just love when I hear from a happy customer and I love it even more when I get to see the smiling face of the baby that I made the letters for! Just made my whole day!

Videos

2011-03-24T11:10:00.000-05:00

I just posted 2 videos that were on youtube from someone else at the concert. Even though I didn't personally take them, I swear that the person who did was right in front of me! I can even hear myself screaming.

Bon Jovi Living on a Prayer Live at AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX March...

2011-03-24T11:06:00.000-05:00

Bon Jovi You Want to Make a Memory Live AT&T Center San Antonio, TX on M...

2011-03-24T11:01:00.000-05:00

Best Night of My Life!

2011-03-18T19:31:00.000-05:00

We had VIP check-in

Here we are getting our tickets

I'm posing in front of a large poster that was hanging in the pre-show party area!

Borrowed this hat from someone we met at the party. I cropped her out of the side of the picture!

And, THERE HE IS!

A few more shots. Thank goodness Mark thought of actually using the camera, because I was so distracted, by well, uh, DUH, that it never even occurred to me to take a picture!

He went back stage and changed his shirt and then came to another smaller stage that was even closer to where we were! At this time, I am a mere 11 rows away! I was pretty hysterical, but we won't discuss that! So glad there isn't a picture of that!

Just finished an amazing book

2011-03-14T16:00:00.000-05:00

I just had to take a minute to tell you about this incredible book that I finished last night.

The title is "Inconceivable, A Medical Mistake, the Baby We Couldn't Keep, and Our Choice to Deliver the Ultimate Gift".

I've been buying and downloading books kind of like a mad woman since I got my iPad last October. I almost always select something non-fiction, true stories, autobiographies. Well, I really got a lot to think about with this book. A medical mistake during an IVF (in-vitro fertilization) procedure. An unthinkable situation. . .you're pregnant with someone else's baby. You can terminate, but you can't keep him. Just an unbelievable story of how the woman carried another woman's baby to term, risking her own life, and just minutes after delivery handed him over to his genetic parents.

Really, all of my mom friends reading this, please read the book so I have someone to talk to about it! I'm anxious to hear your thoughts.

One other interesting fact - this all took place right in the town where I went to college and the author's father (John F. Savage) was a big donor to the university and has a gymnasium named after him. Small world!

This is the t-shirt I bought to wear

2011-03-08T11:50:00.000-06:00

from this etsy shop

Can't even contain my excitement!

2011-03-08T11:47:00.001-06:00

This came FedEx this morning!!

My Little Insomniac

2011-03-08T11:46:00.000-06:00

For the past few months now, my little Madox has been giving us major grief over staying in his bed. He wanders out, wanders into Mason's room and keeps coming out "because I just cannot stop kissing you!" How could I get mad at him when he can't stop giving me kisses. Ok, well, he does get away with some things because he is just my favorite little boy right now, but that's a whole 'nother topic. . .

This is what I found last night.

This is the front foyer; an area sort of between the side of the house with the kids' bedrooms and the dining room and family room (where I must have been sitting with my dad watching TV). I never saw or heard him camp out there and only saw him when I went to retrieve the dog from Mason's room.

custom journal

2011-03-06T18:13:00.000-06:00

Marley + skunk = stinky dog

2011-03-06T18:12:00.000-06:00

Here are the after effects of Marley's encounter with the skunk.

What a week

2011-03-04T11:56:00.000-06:00

Not only did I sell these 3 journals, I had the dog sprayed with a skunk, and 2 kids home sick - different kids on different days.

A sweet new baby

2011-02-28T08:43:00.002-06:00

Custom Journals

2011-02-27T10:18:00.000-06:00

for Spencer's mama. Apparently, Spencer's mommy has lots and lots to write about because she ordered 3 custom sized journals with 200 pages each. I just love how they came out!

I've been getting some positive comments on my packaging lately and thought this box was especially cute, so I am showing it here.

Finished a custom order this week

2011-02-23T14:21:00.001-06:00

for Kristen! She is sister to Maya that I did a few weeks back! Yeah, I love return customers.

I am listing 4 photos because I am still experimenting with the best way to photograph these large pieces. Obviously, a name of this length does not fit in my light box so I am trying to concoct other locations around the studio to get a good shot, plus enough length to fit it all in. This studio really is huge, but there is not one inch of wall space available to me to photograph! Oh well, at least other etsy sellers with relate to this dilemma.

Pop's House

2011-02-12T11:06:00.001-06:00

A few of you may know that we are in the process of renovating a house on 47 acres near where we currently live, with the idea being that my parents (my dad mostly) will be "Winter Texans." Yeah! I just uploaded 2 photo albums to facebook so you can visit there to see the whole thing from the very beginning (warning: it ain't pretty - and it's just now approaching "livable"), but here is a quick update of what we've finished within the last few weeks. Facebook photos

I will try to comment so you can follow along.

Outside view on front door

This is the "front door" of the original house, (taken from inside) which was basically on the back of the house and made the whole thing feel totally wonky. This is now going to the the back. And the next shot is the new back door from the inside.

The new front door. The dining room was here on the original house but we replaced a big window with a new front door and have a big covered porch now too.

The original house, "breezeway".

New inside standing in kitchen, looking into family room, with sunroom in far right distance.

Inside new sunroom

Original sunroom. Inside (which I don't even think I was brave enough to photograph except from a way distance), there was a 3-sided elevated hydroponic growing area. We're not sure what they grew in there. People say she was a real horticulturist!

Original family room, with sunroom in far back (we'd already ripped out the "growing area".)

Looking into family room from sunroom.

New front face of house. There are 2 windows that still need installed.

Sales this week

2011-02-12T10:36:00.000-06:00

Actually, I sold a few things this week but this one is worth mentioning because it sold only an hour or so after I listed it. I think that is the fastest I have ever sold an item!

A yummy treat from Grammy

2011-02-12T10:34:00.000-06:00

So delicious he has to close his eyes to get a bite.

and the shape is just perfect for shoving into the mouth!

For a friend

2011-02-01T14:26:00.000-06:00

This wasn't an order from etsy, but a gift for a sweet friend's new baby.

Custom Journal

2011-02-01T14:22:00.002-06:00

Maya

2011-01-21T14:31:00.000-06:00

A custom order I finished this week.

More journals today

2011-01-20T11:29:00.000-06:00

New Listings

2011-01-19T17:09:00.000-06:00

I can't even pick a favorite of these three that I got listed today. I wish I could spread it out a little and list one a day or so, but it seems that once I get listing, I like to get it all done at once. Actually, etsy has improved their listing process a little so it's a bit easier. Yeah! Finally, I think I have the picture editing, exporting and uploading process figured out to make it as fast and easy as possible. Another big yeah!

Dreams Journal

2011-01-16T16:01:00.001-06:00

I love every one of these custom journals more than the last. Unlike when I am trying to scrapbook or make a greeting card, I never have trouble coming up with a design or wording that I am looking for. I wonder why that is? Sometimes, I can stare at a blank piece of card stock and get "nothing" for a card or scrapbook page design. But, for each and every custom journal order I have done, it comes together so easily. Maybe that is one of the things I love about these.

Another bachelorette journal

2011-01-15T16:00:00.000-06:00

I also told my second Bachelorette Journal earlier this week. This bridal party is going to Las Vegas for 3 days for that party. How cool is that?

Zebra stripes are popular for this journal (as the other one I did was also zebra striped).

First sale on artfire

2011-01-15T15:58:00.000-06:00

Artfire is another online selling venue, similar to etsy, but without as many fees. I signed up a few months ago for a shop on there. My user name there is MomOnTheEdge, and you can only guess what kind of day I was having when I picked that user name. Anyway, I made my first sale there yesterday and this was the item.

A custom journal for a wedding. I really like artfire because they have a much more user friendly website with lots of features that etsy doesn't have AND they have a flat rate monthly charge, rather than a fee to list plus transaction fees on each sale. Feel free to check it out and leave me your thoughts.

Love One Another

2011-01-09T15:33:00.001-06:00

Taken from John 13:36, a similar one hangs in our home. . .just to remind us all.

Love One Another

I'm so excited to finally finish this project I have been thinking on for months. Finally, it came together. This is sort of an expansion on the monogrammed letters in my etsy shop. I'm hoping this is as popular.

I wasn't trying to brag, but

2010-12-21T20:28:00.001-06:00

this was taken December 15.

Handmade Christmas Gift

2010-12-21T20:24:00.000-06:00

This is probably my favorite handmade Christmas gift to date. Using my dad's 65+ year old recipe, we (all) made tomato soup when he was here recently. I just made and added a cute handmade tag and gave to the kids' teachers as Christmas gifts.

Here is a little simpler gift for the cafeteria workers at their school.

I cut vinyl with the cricut and gave these candles to the office staff at the school.

Here is how they looked all wrapped up. Handmade tag using 2 Stampin Up punches.

Christmas Program

2010-12-21T20:19:00.000-06:00

"You're puny, you're small, you're not even tall. . ."

Major Catch Up - Worst Birthday Ever

2010-12-21T20:15:00.000-06:00

I'm only about 3 weeks late posting about the terrible 6th birthday Matilda had, but here it goes. Above, is the iPhone picture I took of her in her Kindergarten classroom, with her majorly pink frosted cupcakes.

Fast forward 1 hour: "This is the school nurse. Matilda threw up."

Nice.

I was actually at the dentist with Madison, so Mark had to retrieve our ill birthday girl from school. And, no, she hadn't even eaten the cupcakes yet.

She retired to the couch for a few hours but managed to pull herself together long enough to open some gifts.

This twirly tutu is an obvious favorite.

Then, later, as she was running on the patio in her her fancy high heels (see tutu shots), she crashed and scraped her side all up.

One of her gifts was a new bike, complete with a Barbie bike holder for the Barbie doll to ride in. Even the pedals are purple and flower shaped (I admit that I am a bit jealous)

Here is the group shot - some are happier about posing than others!

Matilda reading

2010-12-03T19:08:00.000-06:00

For about 2 years, all Matilda has wanted to do was "read". Read, read, read. It was the whole purpose in her going to Kindergarten (according to her).

Here she is reading her very first "take home" book from school called "Time for Breakfast."

Really, nothing beats beats hearing your own child read. I could listen to her read that same book 15 times (oh, wait, I have)!!

Mommy! Mommy!

2010-12-03T19:01:00.000-06:00

I am stuck!

Apparently, it's a lot easier climbing up onto the treadmill, than it is to climb down.

"Mommy, Mommy, I'm stuck."

Christmas Card & Letter

2010-11-24T17:04:00.000-06:00

I seriously just took 100 pictures and NOT ONE is "Christmas Card Worthy." How hard is it to smile and look towards the camera?

These 4 are on the "short list", which shows you the level of cooperation I was getting today.

Mom's Tea Fundraiser

2010-11-21T18:22:00.000-06:00

Every year my mom sponsors a table at her church fundraiser, a Christmas Tea, benefitting the Women's Ministry. These are little Christmas presents containing Hershey's Nuggets (3 per box) that will stack on a sleigh. Each "nugget box" was handmade from a pattern I got here - http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/project-instructions-f142/nugget-boxes-all-sizes-t190469.html (special thanks to "compulsive geek" cdjkssss)

Pumpkin Carving Contest - Saturday Night

2010-10-31T14:17:00.001-05:00

We attended the annual Pumpkin Carving Party at our neighbor's house. This is such a great party - there are games for the kids and a bounce house and great food. And you get to carve the pumpkins in someone else's backyard!

This is how you transport 4 heavy pumpkins to your neighbor's house.

She was the only one that even attempted to work on her own pumpkin.

Left to right: Mason's Labrador Retriever - 3rd Place

Matilda's paisley - 1st Place (she (her pumpkin) also won 1st last year)

Madox's spider - 2nd Place

Does it seem fair that we (and when I say "we", I really mean "Mark") swept the entire pumpkin carving contest.

Proudly posing with her First Place win!

Mason was pretty proud of his win as well.

Mark didn't have time to finish Madison's pumpkin (getting 3 done in 2 hours was quite the accomplishment), so he has to do an "extra-special" one for her.

Friday Night Halloween Party

2010-10-31T14:09:00.000-05:00

Mason hit the driveway here and was barely seen the rest of the night for playing kickball and baseball with the jillions of boys at this party. . .why he's not in this shot.

Matilda walked up to EVERYONE and said "I'm a M&M". It seems obvious to me. Actually, the plan was for all of them to be M&M's, get it, all the M's being M&M's? No one except for Matilda cooperated.

CFA Kid's Night

2010-10-31T14:00:00.000-05:00

We went to Chick-fil-A on Tuesday, where it is Kid's Night and kid's get free meals for each "regular meal" you purchase. Great deal.

There was a gal there doing face painting and this is what the kids got.

They were really upset that they had to take a bath and wash them off for school the next day, so I took pictures to remember them forever!

Progress on the fence/gate

2010-10-31T13:55:00.000-05:00

This is where the stone columns will go for the gate; they will be built onto the concrete bases.

Long view down right hand side where fence will be.

Treat for Teachers

2010-10-31T13:31:00.001-05:00

I sent my kids to school on Thursday with a little treat for their teachers. You may remember my "theory" from the first day of school which is to try to "sweeten up" (er, bribe, brown-nose) the teachers just a bit so they think extra kindly about the kids.

Possible Halloween treat

2010-10-22T19:48:00.001-05:00

Me and Tillie are home alone so we decided to play around with some designs for Halloween candy. It's so great working with her because everything "is so cool, oh, so pretty." Great confidence boost (never mind she's 5).

I couldn't resist gluing on real googley eyes!

Follow up note added 10/31/10: this was a project FAIL! The thing would not stay stuck together along the bottom seam, even though I used sticky strip! I also squeezed it in the vice for 5 minutes, crimping the bottom, but it still would not stay stuck!

A Custom Journal

2010-10-21T12:24:00.001-05:00

This design was a bit of a departure from my usual "Mommy Journals, but I love how it turned out! I especially love the color (purple is my personal fave color).

I should also point out the the 2nd picture looks a little grainey or washed out. . .but I used this cool technique with pearl ex and so in person it's got a bit of a pearl-ish, purple-ish sheen.

Pump House Completed

2010-10-17T16:39:00.000-05:00

Here are a few shots of the completed pump house.

Here's a close up of the detail on the gables.

For Morgan

2010-10-14T09:41:00.000-05:00

Custom order this week

One tired boy!

2010-10-13T14:39:00.001-05:00