A Young Author

This little girl loves school. You know...minus the waking up part in the morning. My sister says dirty words to me b/c of how effortless it is to do homework with her. She just seems to know most of her sight words from the time they send new ones home with her. She reads very well which means that we have been caught a few times b/c sometimes we still spell stuff in front of her....well duh, she has us figured out and knows exactly what we are spelling. But her great accomplishment lately has been getting her picture in our local paper (sorry I couldn't find it online) for coming in third place in a writing contest at school. By third place I mean she was third out of 90 kids! They labeled the picture Young Authors! She said it was a story about Tegan but we have yet to see it and she says she can't remember what all she wrote. I am so proud of her!!!

So Smart

Tegan seems to be blossoming right before my eyes. He still doesn't talk much(if he takes after his dad he never will) but on occasion if you listen real close you will hear him repeating your words...very plainly I might add. Anyways he will follow any instruction you give him. Like last night I asked him to take his boots and put them in front of his bedroom door since it was closed...he did and he didn't just do it but he put them there perfect. When asked to clean up his toys there is no fighting but yet the kid picks them all up and tries to stuff them ALL in to one toy box. He is very specific of certain days about what coats and shoes he wants to wear. If you ask him a question or try to feed him something he doesn't want he will shake his head no. There are so many cute things that he has started doing lately....I don't even remember Rylee being able to follow all these and many more instructions at just 18 months old. Oh wow, he is going to be 18 months old on the 27th!!! How did that happen.

Oh...for those of you who are sitting at the edge of your seats wondering, the Refrigerator is FIXED!!!!!

I wasn't crazy

I thought I was going crazy b/c I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast this morning and was a little shocked to taste that my milk wasn't as cold as I am use to. In fact it was almost warm. But when I opened the refrigerator stuff still felt a little cold so I just thought I was imagining things. Well it never got better so I even went so far as to rearrange b/c it just felt like the stuff on the top shelf wasn't cold but everything else was. So I moved the milk and everything else on the top shelf to the bottom shelf...it didn't work. It's crazy though that the refrigerator side is broken but the freezer side is fine.....I hope! All this after I just made a huge grocery trip last night. I had to bag it all up and take it to my mother in laws. Except the milk is now in a cooler. It never really got hot so I hope it is still o.k. to drink! Anyways my refrigerator is broken! Hooray!

Feature Tuesday!

I don't know that I will always do my features on Tuesdays but whatever day it is on then that is what I will call it. You never know when it will pop up on here!
I picked my feature from my followers this week on the right hand side of your screen. Join up for a chance to be a feature!

I wanted to do something different this week for our feature so here she is as if she is telling you all about herself.....

Meowstro's

All about her: I'm largely self-taught, and while I've always been artistically inclined, my passion for book binding only began 3 years ago, with a class called "Artist's Books" at the college I attended, Clark University. After that class I was hooked, and I continued learning about bookbinding through independent study. I'm a paper fanatic, and while I'll leave a clothing store empty handed (even if there is a big sale) I can never leave a paper store or art supply store without buying myself a little (or a big) something. My most recent purchase was a custom embossing stamp to imprint my logo onto paper.

The first one is one of my favorites (by mine I mean me, the simply made).



Spanish Countryside Journal - Hardcover Blank Book with Pink and Black Cover


Handbound Miniature Book - Two Fish Talking - Hand sewn cover, Over 100 Tiny Pages


Adventures of the Little Submarine - Illustrated Handbound Miniature Book


Stop by and visit this weeks FEATURE store!

NOT ME!!!!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not decide at the last minute yesterday to go to church, rush around here to get myself and two kids ready (Paul was at Sunday School) and finally arrive on time. I did not go to take Tegan to the nursery only to realize that they had combined the big kids with the little kids in the nursery for the day. Since I am NOT a germaphobe, I did not pick my kid up and walk out and shortly thereafter leave and just come back home! Nope, Not Me!
I did not take my children to the Circus on Saturday only to probably enjoy it more than they did. I most certainly did not let Tegan eat an overwhelming amount of Pop Corn and a snow cone just so he would sit still through the circus. Needless to say that he hasn't wanted much to eat since Saturday!

I have not let Tegan run around the house with no pants (he has a diaper on people) and his boots on several nights this week.

Sorry...I know most of you have seen this but I just love it and had to re post it!

I did not do a blog post this past week with the top 5 tips on how to NOT get a job!

Blog Roll

For those of you who don't know, a blog roll is a list of others blogs that will also list me on their blog. It's really a way to help get more traffic to every one's blogs. So if you want a link (which is basically just your name or the name of your blog) on the list on my blog then please leave a comment here!

OH....and I'm looking for this weeks feature from the people who are following my blog on the righthand side of my screen....join up!

I'm running away....

Update...My stepdad called and informed me that I have been to a circus before when I was young. My older sister remembers but I don't. I asked for pictures but so far no one has offered up proof of this said circus trip. But I will give Darrin credit anyways...this was my second circus!
And joining the CIRCUS! We went yesterday to Atlanta to the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Baily Circus and it was great. Of course my camera missed the whole thing as I left it in the car and didn't realize it until we got to our seats inside Philips Arena! But it was so much fun and believe it or not I'm pretty sure this was my first ever big circus...am I right mom? Anyways we weren't going to take Tegan b/c we thought it would be hard to get him to sit still for a solid two hours but at the last minute Paul experienced what I told him was "Mother's guilt" and we decided to take him since he didn't have to have a tickets. He did great! Although he may have been encouraged to do so with a rather large box of popcorn and a snow cone but who cares. He watched it, clapped at all the right times and pointed and laughed at everything. Rylee was amazed and really enjoyed the whole thing. She was a little disappointed that it wasn't inside a tent but she got over that. The only thing bad about it was that everything cost an arm and leg. The cotton candy was $12 for a regular size bag!!! That snow cone was $10 but well worth it to Tegan! All around it was a nice trip besides getting a little lost in downtown Atlanta....with me and Paul trying to figure out which way to go it was like the blind leading the deaf and blind!

Threadkiller

UPDATE: I actually have a thread going that is up to 41 people right now! Go Me!

Wait...I don't think I am even a thread started. Do you ever go to the community boards and try to start a thread and it gets no where. 15 minutes in to it your thread is on the 20th page and no one seems to care. Why can't I get a thread going and keep it going? I must be doing something right b/c people are linking up to my blog through the community boards but why do they not respond and keep my thread going. I must not have that magic touch. I often wonder if someone revives my threads long after I have rested my head for the night and then I don't even know it. I could be famous on the community boards and have slept thru the whole thing!!! Wait....that was just a dream. Anyways, I am getting ready to start a blog roll on here....do you want to link up?? You link me and I will link you. Let's start supporting each other!!! Tough times (at least that is what the news is saying) calls for extreme measures like linking blogs! I love my LIFE!

Picture Day

She wanted a picture with her pizza!


The boy and his boots! He loves these boots and insisted on putting them on last night even though he had on no pants. He wore them until bath time!


Down, Set, HUT!


This is the best of the two of them that I could get. Don't worry...Tegan has had his shaggy hair cut since then. In the pictures above his hair looks much better! This is what he looked like for church on Sunday...I couldn't do anything with it and thought that God would rather have him there with bad hair than not be there at all!

Top 5 tips for not getting a job...

5. Search on the Internet all day long for jobs and when you finally get an interview for a full time job...pray you don't get it b/c you don't think you can be away from Tegan that long.

4. When asked about why you left your last job say medical reasons. Which then leads them to ask more questions which then leads you to have to mention that you have small children since you left your last job due to pregnancy bedrest. Watch as their facial expression changes from oh this girl is great to oh this girl has two young children whom she will have to be out with when they are sick!

3. Over hype yourself to the point where at your most recent interview they tell you that you are way to overqualified!

2. Tell them that you are looking for a job that has room for advancement only to make them nervous that you won't want to stay in the hiring position for very long.

And Finally...

1. Wait until there is a country wide recession and unemployment is at an all time high before you seriously start looking for a job!!!!

Before this past year I don't think I have ever had a job interview where I didn't get the job. I can't ever remember being rejected. Well this year has been really different, 6 interviews and still unemployed. If I wasn't watching the news everyday and hearing about how horrible the economy is right now then I might just take that personal!

Advertising for Etsy 101

So can any one tell me the ways that you advertise your etsy store??? About a month ago I started this little old blog, I promoted it a little on the etsy forums, got 18followers (thanks guys) and have actually been selling more now than I was pre blog days. But I am looking for other....FREE ways to advertise my store. I thought about sending little post cards out with my site address to everyone I know but that only gets the locals which is where I already make most my money. I am wanting to not depend on the locals so much and make my money from etsy. So this weeks question is what has proven to be the most beneficial advertising for you?

These two....

They sit on each other, tickle each other, lay next to each other and fight with each other in the pack-n-play while I get my shower everyday! Thank Goodness for Pack-N-Plays! Boy do they love each other!

This weeks Etsy Feature

I, being a sewer, seem to gravitate to the sewers on etsy. Don't worry though, I will feature any one with cute handmade items on here. I was so busy today that I almost forgot that I needed to do a feature for you guys this week.

So here she is....

littledaisydesigns's Shop

Profile: I'm Emily, a SAHM with 2 little boys and a little newborn girl (ages 3 and under). I love to spend time with my family, hang out with my friends, read, cook, play and teach violin and piano, and sew.

My items are boutique quality (and now being sold in boutiques around the USA). Every item will come to you with a sewn-on boutique clothing label and hangtag.

Click on the SALE category to see my current specials!


Darla Knot Dress So beautiful! (I...the blogger...must say that this is my favorite thing in this etsy shop. So much talent is in this dress!)



NEW for Spring - The Hannah Dress in Ginger Blossom


LIMITED AVAILABILITY - Matryoshka Peasant Top - Custom 12 18 24 2T 3T 4T 5T


So there you have it. Stop by and check her out!
Since you asked how littledaisydesign's became my feature this week....she is one of my blog followers. I looked through those and found something for this week and here you have her. Enjoy!

"Not Me!" Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I must certainly did not walk in the the post office with Rylee's High School Musical sunglasses on b/c Tegan had lost mine. Said sunglasses did not say I Love Troy on the side!

I did not contemplate sitting on my child so that someone could cut his hair b/c it was getting out of control. Luckily I would have given him his first sucker or two to keep him occupied and still to get the job done!

I am not working on a blog post for tips on "How to not get a job!"

I did not hear, from inside my house, my little guy falling down our front steps while his daddy and Rylee were on the front porch with him.

I did not go to Regional Firstcare last week and literally want to sit with my shirt pulled up over my nose as one guy on one side talked about how he had been throwing up for three days and the lady on the other side of me said she had pneumonia.

The new date night

Well since I have OCD (yes I admit it) I have a hard time leaving my children. Not that we had a babysitter for Valentines but we didn't even put in an effort to find one. But anyways we decided to have date night in. It was Great! I didn't have to worry about the kids, Paul didn't have to get frustrated while waiting hours for a table and it was much cheaper than date night out. We gave the kids a bath and put them to bed at their normal weekday bedtime last night. While I got them to bed, Paul ran to Longhorns and picked up supper. By the time he got back everyone was asleep so I was actually able to sit down and enjoy my wonderful meal from Longhorns without having to feed another small human, hear another small human scream b/c I am not fast enough or I did not have to worry about rushing back before bedtime. It was Great...did I say that already! Then we watched the movie Fireproof which was wonderful. I must warn you that the acting in the movie isn't what I thought it would be but the story line and the point to the movie was WONDERFUL! I think every married couple should watch it. I didn't want the movie to end.
So even though the movie didn't end until after 11:00 there were no worries b/c we were at home with our kids in the bed and had 10 steps to get to our own bed. SO RELAXING! You should try date night in! There is no excuse even if you have kids! Hope you all had a great Valentines day!

Are you one of those....

Do you know who is typing on this blog? Do you know anything about the person that is sending you great deals from great etsy sellers? Well I have to confess...I am one of those people. You know the one, that person that does a family blog b/c for the life of her she can't get in to scrapbooking so she decided to take it virtual and live out her life on the Internet. So all I am saying is if you want to get to know the blog author and fellow etsian a little more then feel free to stop by MY BLOG to see what's happening! Stay tuned for this weeks feature and have a happy Sunday!

Burn out...

I haven't been getting much sewing done lately. I don't know...maybe I just got burnt out on it but I have taken almost a 2 week break. Well as I am trying to get back in the saddle and get some stuff done (b/c there are bills to pay) I have listed two new bags that I think are super cute. Right now I am switching gears from diaper/tote bags to some purses b/c I think maybe there will be a larger buying market for those. I have plenty of large bags in my store so I guess now it is time to stock with purses.

So anyways I have gotten off topic...I love to sew so why do I get burned out. My question is Do you ever get burned out with whatever you make to sell on etsy? Do you ever find yourself working really hard for several weeks and then just suddenly stopping b/c you can't take another minute or do you just love it so much that you can't stop doing it at all? How do I balance it out to where I don't feel like I am having to cuff my self to the machine just so I will get something done?

Mommy's Helper

Lately Tegan has been very helpful around the house...

On a daily basis he cleans out my odds and ends cabinet for me!


He vacuums the KITCHEN floor for me.


He hands me each piece of laundry out of the dryer one at a time which I have to admit is helpful. The only problem with that is that me not having to bend to get the laundry is really cutting in to my exercise!

It's Official

We all know that I am a Dr. right??? I mean the other night Rylee actually asked me if when I worked was I a dr. b/c I was so good at telling her when to cough to clear her voice with this cold she has. I told her no and she said that I should apply for one of those jobs. (More on the job thing to come in a post all its own) Anyways, I'm pretty sure the dude/dr. at Regional Firstcare knew what he was talking about. He thought I had an ulcer and after 5 days of intense stomach pain he wrote me a prescription and sent me on my way. Well I think he was right! All that headache medicine I take has caught up with me and apparently the news flash is that Excedrin migraine and Motrin (sometimes at the same time) are not really all that good for you. So I am now a prevacid girl and Tylenol all the way. He didn't tell me I could take Tylenol but with a little Internet research you can convince yourself that your either dieing or that it is o.k. to take Tylenol with an ulcer. The point is that my tummy is feeling so much better although now I have some sinus stuff starting. I blame it on the walking pneumonia lady sitting next to be at the regional firstcare!

All New Feature

Sorry I have been out of commission for a while. I've been a little under the weather with what they say may be a stomach ulcer...no fun!
Back to business and my feature this week. I have to tell you this was a very easy feature pick. This seller/buyer bought some fabric from me out of my shop (thanks for that and come back for more) and I decided to skip over to her shop and see what she was selling. WOW! That was all I could say. She had some of the greatest stuff in her shop that I just had to share it with you. I have to admit that it was hard to choose just three pics so I may have went just a little overboard so just stay with me guys.
So here she is guys....

Noodles & Milk
A little about the shop owner:

I am a stay-at-home mom to a precious 15 month old girl- Emerson. I used to work as a Buyer for a major retailer and love the retail industry. Selling on Etsy gives me the opportunity to continue in the retail industry that I love while getting to use my creative side to come up with cute baby and toddler things. I am always adding new creations and love to custom create orders for people too. I am going to be adding some clothing to the site over the next few weeks as well- so stay tuned!

To learn more about her you can check out her family blog at www.emersonrae.blogspot.com

You must check out her items....


Personalized Nursery Pillow- Your choice of fabric


Personalized lovie blanket- your choice of fabric combined with minky


Baby Onesie with personalized initial plus burp cloth and bib



The Ultimate Personalized Baby Gift- stroller blanket, bib and burp cloth


Birthday onesie and SEWN tutu

So basically these are ALL my favorites from her shop. She really is a truly talented Etsian artist (is Etsian a word??). Stop by and check her out!

I'm always looking for feature sellers so let me know if you think you have a shop I will fall in love with!

Polka Dot Pixie

Good Tuesday...

So I hope everyone in blogland is doing well. I have been out of commission lately, hints the reason I didn't do a not me Monday post...which I do religiously. I haven't been feeling well with some intestinal thing so yesterday I spent my whole day between dr.'s office and having a gallbladder ultrasound to find out if I was dieing. Well the dieing part hasn't been confirmed yet but the gallbladder scan was fine. So the theory of the Dr. (and no mom I don't mean me) is that it is either a stomach ulcer or some sort of bacterial infection that comes from food and just doesn't won't to leave. I've been miserable! On top of that they say I can't take anything for a headache b/c if it is an ulcer it can aggravate it so by the time I got out of the dr.'s and got my first bite of food at almost 3:00 pm yesterday I had a really bad headache and had to live with it the rest of the day. Of course it was made worse just by the fact that I couldn't take anything but you get the point. Anyways I just wanted to let everyone know where I have been. Not that you care:)

Don't worry...Tegan is still eating, it's just me who can't eat!

I'm not feeling so well....

It all started yesterday when Paul said he hoped he wasn't catching a cold. He had felt a little tired and had the sniffles. I was so worried that I would catch whatever he was sure to come down with (which he didn't yet) that the complete opposite happened. I was awakened at 3:30 am by Rylee saying she needed to blow her nose. The second I laid back down after getting her back to bed, I started to feel very nausea's and got hot all over. For the next hour and a half I tried to fight it off. By 5:00 am I was in the bathroom...only I wasn't vomiting. You get the picture right? I don't have to say it do I? Anyways I stayed in and out of the bathroom for the next two hours. When Paul got up to get ready for work I informed him that I was dieing and I couldn't help get Rylee ready for school. Tegan got awakened since the whisper Nazi (that would be me) wasn't up to prevent him from getting woke up. So he took him to his moms next door while I laid there in the bed dieing....all alone. I'm on the mend tonight although my head seems to be spinning a little and I can't eat. But other than that, I'm great! So then Rylee sounds a little stuffy after school today. But by bedtime that stuffy sound had turned in to a very whinny and tired little girl who couldn't breath through her nose. So here we go with the sickies.
Somehow I thought blogging about it would make me feel better....it didn't!

Etsy, Etsy, Etsy

So tell me etsy lovers, how do you get anything done? I find myself getting lost in etsy. I love to read the featured sellers and the "Quit your day job" post. I can sit here and read them for hours. My only problem with that is that I am reading instead of sitting at my sewing machine making things.
When I discovered etsy about 6 months ago I thought maybe I could just use it as a cheap way to display my stuff. See I sell a lot of my stuff locally and mostly by word of mouth. So I thought that etsy could be a place where I could post my bags and when someone calls wanting to know what I have made, I could just say to go to the Polka Dot Pixie and see if there is anything you like. But the more that I have used etsy, the more I like it and the more that I want to make a career out of it. Hints the reason I get caught up in all the quit your day job post. Anyways I would love to have my very own fabric shop on etsy b/c let's face it....I'm not disciplined enough to set and make enough stuff to support my family. I see other fabric suppliers that are making tons of sells and I can't figure out what is standing in my way. Where should I advertise? Who should I target? What fabric should I sell?
Oh...I forgot to mention that I don't really have a day job right now b/c after being home with my son for the first year of his life there was this horrible turn in the economy (you know the one) and there are no jobs to be had. So maybe they should create a section on etsy called Get a Day Job on Etsy and fulfill your fabric addiction all at the same time!

Anyway...let's share the love, any advice for getting a day job on etsy???

Paula Prass Fabric

Have you seen the new Paula Prass Flights of Fancy line of fabric? It is great for spring crafts and sewing projects. I am selling it at a huge discounted price in my shop. Check it out!










Visit my Etsy store today Polka Dot Pixie

Have I stayed to long...

So lately I have been looking for a job....I know, bad timing with the economy. But I've still been looking anyways. But every time there is even a possibility of getting a job I start to feel like I am going to throw up at the thought of having to leave Tegan. I cried when I had to go back to work after Rylee but I only stayed home seven weeks with her. I have been home almost 18 months with Tegan (longer if you count bed rest while he was in my belly). Me and him have our routine. We get up, we eat, we get dressed for the day, we play, we wash clothes (he loves this part), we eat again and at 12:00 he goes down for his nap until time to go get Rylee. We both love our little routine. So how will we survive if I go back to work. I mean he won't hardly stay with anyone and he won't take a nap anywhere but his own bed. Some days I think it would be good for him if I went back to work and some days I think it will be devastating to him and me. I guess it is true that the longer you stay home the harder it is to leave them!!!!

I mean could you leave this little man???

Etsy Solo Feature

Welcome everyone and thanks for stopping by my new blog. I have been doing a family blog for a while now and decided to do something to help promote my etsy business and other etsy sellers. At least once, maybe twice (depends on how I'm feeling), a week I will do an etsy feature. Save me in your favorites and keep coming back to stay up to date on other etsy sellers while I help to also pull in some buyers for you guys! (and myself)

LeahLee Designs is my first big pick for the solo feature!

Her work really caught my eye while surfing the promotion boards and I just had to feature her on here. Here is a little about her....

Hi, my name is Kara, and crafting is my passion! I have been creating different items for about 10 years now! While I have to work a full time job, this is my true passion, and I hope to someday make this my full time job.
Keep looking back, as I am working on new items, and will be adding them to my store several times a week!
If you don't see something that you like, convo me, and I will work with you to create that special item!



I love these great Decoupage Clothespins . They really caught my eye.


LeahLee is adding new meaning to a stylish clipboard in this listing.



Bright and Funky Monogram Notecards-Set of Three. These are so awesome!

Stop by and visit LeahLeeDesigns

We should all support each other by promoting other etsy sellers. So if you have a blog, promote someone else and maybe the favor will make its way back to you!

I will leave you with a quote from LeahLeeDesigns shop page....
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
--Anonymous

French Seams

French Seams have been a dream for me when learning to make little girl dresses. There are no fraying ends and there is no need to serge anything. This is the best tip I have ever gotten since I started sewing. Here are the steps:

STEP 1 Make note of the of the difference between the “right” and “wrong” side of the fabric you are using. The nature of a French seam's construction requires that you be aware of the difference during construction so that they are properly oriented in each step.

STEP 2 With the right sides facing out, pin material together, pinning entire length of edge where the French seam will be.

STEP 3 Stitch a 1/4" seam allowance along the entire length of the edge pinned in Step 2. Remove pins after the seam allowance has been sewn. Note: contrasting thread shown in photo used for clarity only.

STEP 4 Cut seam allowance (sewn in Step 3) to within 1/8" of stitches. Although you may use pinking shears, they are not required. The cut edges will be protected (and hidden) by the completed French seam.

STEP 5 Unfold with the right sides up. Press entire length of trimmed seam allowance, pressing both edges flat and to one common side. DO NOT press seam open! Be sure to use a setting on your iron that will not damage the fabric.

STEP 6 Fold material along newly created seam with wrong sides out.

STEP 7 Press entire length of seam flat at fold on wrong side. Be sure to use a setting on your iron that will not damage the fabric.

STEP 8 With wrong sides out, pin folded material together, pinning entire length of pressed seam created in Step 7.

STEP 9 Stitch a 3/8" seam allowance along the entire length of the edge pinned in Step 8. Remove pins after the seam allowance has been sewn. Note: contrasting thread shown in photo used for clarity only.

STEP 10 Unfold with the wrong sides up. Press entire length of seam flat to one side. Be sure to use a setting on your iron that will not damage the fabric.

STEP 11 Give yourself a pat on the back. Note that the right side of the seam is neat and flat. On the wrong side, the cut (or pinked) edges of the seam created in step 4 are now concealed. You're done!

It is really easier than it sounds! Just give it a try and happy sewing!

Lots of Sales at Etsy.com

Hi everyone! You should check out Etsy today. There are lots of sellers running specials and some really great deals on some really great handmade stuff. Here are just a few below. Click the shop name and head on over to check them out!

Eclectica By Jan
***FEBRUARY SPECIAL*** Winter scarves marked down 15% * Originally $20 now just $17 during the month of February *



erinbowe
All of my resin pendants are on sale right now!



Pocketful of Sunshine
VALENTINE’S DAY SALE!!!!!
BOGO FREE on ALL Valentine’s Day Cards and Gift Card Holders
FREE Shipping on ALL Valentine’s Day Bag of Cards


Degdie
CUTE ANGELS PROMOTION!
these precious little angels want to illuminate your home with their beautiful colors!
buy two for only $ 20!
or buy 3 and take the 4 free!