Thursday, December 23, 2010

Ninjabreadmen...Take That!


I found these super awesome cookie cutters over HERE.

So fun.

It's apparently also a great way to get your 7 year old son to bake with you. I mean, hello?! Not gingerbread men, but Ninjabread Men!

So, off we got to rolling, cutting and baking.


( Shhh, don't tell, but I used pre-made gingerbread dough )

THEN...we got to decorate them!




These were seriously fun to make and bring a little added kick to the holiday celebration. :)

Speaking of....tomorrow is Christmas Eve!!! So, I will be signing off here for the next week to spend some much needed time with my family.

I hope those that celebrate have a fabulous Christmas, that all have a great rest of 2010 and a very Happy New Year in 2011!

See you back here in January!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Silly Emotional Gift Wrap

I just got silly emotional over wrapping a gift for my son.

It's not the gift (although I think it's awesome he wants one of those wooden drawing manikins...and it came WITH a beginners drawing kit...) I got emotional over, but the actual wrapping of it.

I know. It's sounds so odd, but the reason goes back to memories of my Gramma. Thankfully she is still with us, but she is not the younger Gramma I once knew.

It's hard. She taught me how to sew buttons, how to use a sewing machine and read a pattern. She taught me how to cook the most wonderful family recipes that I so cherish along with so, so many other wonderful things. Too many to list in one blog post. She is the woman who practically raised me.

And.....

She taught me how to wrap gifts. She was so perfect at it! I begged her to teach me, and with much love and affection...as with everything she has ever done...she taught me.

I remember....I must have been around my son's age now....I asked her HOW she was able to wrap so darn good! And she told me, one year, she worked in gift wrap when she was a younger.

She explained how it wasn't just the wrapping job, but the wrapping paper one chooses. She also told me to take my time and not rush it....in time I would get the hang of it and would be able to do it as she did.

I eventually got the hang of it, but I don't think I will ever do it quite like she could.

So, why does this make me so emotional?! I can only attribute it to her not being able to do these things like she once could.

Her hands are more frail and she cannot sew with me as she once did, because she cannot see very well now. She cannot cook, walk, bake pies or cook a whole Christmas dinner like she used to any longer.

It almost completely breaks my heart.....I miss her. I miss the Gramma that could play soccer with my son and stand and bake pies with me all day in preparation for the holidays. I know it sounds so selfish, but it's true.

This past Thanksgiving? It was the first year we were not able to bake pies together....

I chose not to bake any pies. I also got sick, so I was not necessarily able to anyway. But....

But! This Christmas? My sister, niece and I are going to get together and bake. I know my Gramms won't be able to, but she will be here with us too. She is still pretty good at directing...

I pray we have many more years together....but...I will cherish the ones we have now.

And gift wrap? It may always make me cry and little.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Uniqueness Box

My son brought this home the other Sunday from church. It's called a uniqueness box. Or at least that is what it said on the paper. It's also like his own little prayer box...you'll see why...

He was so excited to show me all the different sides of it. Especially the one he drew of Songbird:





He even included one of our dog and one of himself.


Then I opened the box and my heart melted into a puddle:




There they were. Three simple prayers of a child. In case you need translating, they say:

-Please keep them safe while they are gone
-Please keep my mom and dad safe in Russia
-Please keep my sister safe

Yeah, I know we need to work a bit on the spelling, but for right now? I do not care. It's the thought and simple plea of a child in prayer.

I am not sure my heart will ever leave it's puddled state....

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Little Gnomes

I seem to go through thread pretty quickly while making lots of fun coffee cuffs...

In one particularly busy month, I got quite the collection of empty spools. I thought to myself there must be something I can make with these! Then, I happened upon a tutorial that, for the life of me, I cannot find now! If I do, I will certainly post it here...if these look familiar and you know where in blogland it is, feel free to share in the comments so credit can be properly given.

Meanwhile...empty spools. And gnomes. Serious fun and cuteness when adding a bit of felt, wooden head-dealy's and a marker.

See!

I took my empty spool, glued the heady-ball dealy on (yes, I just called it that...let's just go with it):



Then I took some felt and glued together some cute little clothes and hat for them. Then took a marker and added a face...and voila!



Cute little gnome family. They make me happy.
And yes, that littlest one IS meant to be Songbird. :)

Monday, November 22, 2010

Finding Balance...

Learning to say "no", or "I cannot this time"....

You'd think it would be easy, but for me? It's not.

This entire year...this whole year of roller coaster land and adoption and Russia...

I have had to say "no" or "I can't" or "maybe next time" many times this year. Not that it's not apart of everyday life and interactions anyway. It is for the most part....sometimes the answer is simply "I cannot this time".

But this year? It's been a fine balance to try and figure out. Early in the year we had so much hope and promise and then so much uncertainty and not knowing what was going to happen...or when we were going to travel for that first trip....or IF we were going to even get to travel.

And yet? Here I am again....not knowing when we are going to travel and not knowing when we will get "the call" about "the date"....

It's meant saying "no", or "I cannot this time", or "not this year" to different events, holiday bazars or shows, possible 5K's or races I otherwise would have liked to do.

I am OK with it...for the most part. It's just so hard to try and plan events or holiday celebrations or even promote my little Etsy shop without worrying about committing to too much. Yet, at the same time finding that balance of not just stopping and pushing that pause button on life, which oddly enough, doesn't exist. I sometimes wish I had a pause button....alas I do not.

Mainly, it's hard with Christmas right around the corner. Yes, my daughter is in Russia, but my son is here with us. Balance....

How to make sure he is taken care of and holiday celebrations continue....and life is not put on hold...and at the same time, plan for what could be in just a few weeks or possibly a few months.

Limbo....uncertainty....balance....

It will all get worked out....it's just not so easy is it?!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Super Star!!!


Mellie...my niece. I adore her.

Not too long ago, when we were having one of our crafting days together, she said she wanted to make something to help bring Songbird home.

She was eyeing some buttons. My square and star buttons.

I poured some out for her and let her just use her imagination to design whatever she wanted with them.

And she did....she designed some fabulous Super Star Button Rings!

I love them. Whats more...I love watching how she just get's an idea, sees some inspiration in whatever it is that sparked her imagination and then just creates!

So, the new from Little Bird and designed by Mellie Super Star Rings and now in the SHOP!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Vintage Dictionary Pendants

New in the shop: Vintage Dictionary Pendants!

A new collection of vintage dictionary pendants called "the fruits of the spirit" are now listed in the SHOP!

Is there a word you'd love to see in the shop?!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Not Just About Me

I have a heart for adoption. A HUGE crazy heart for orphans. Orphans all over the world, but for me, the place God has placed on my heart is Eastern Europe.

Since I was a little, little girl I knew Eastern Europe was somehow going to be a place that I was involved in when I grew up. A place I had heard about....heard about children that needed care. That needed families. That simply needed. Orphans.

And I am going to go out on a limb and say this....it's not just about adoption. Yes, children all over the world are in need of homes and people to truly love and care for them. But, what about the ones who never find their forever homes? Their forever families? What about the ones that age out of the system?

They have little hope. No where to go and no one to reach out to. These children, these orphans, are targets . Targets for trafficking, for drug and alcohol abuse...and so much more. I don't like to think about it, but I cannot help it.

It's my heart. My heart to reach out and do something more. Yes, we are adopting a little girl and yes, we know that is our calling at this time. But, we know we are called to do more...

Orphan care. Former orphans...children aged out of the system. What about them?



I started making coffee cuffs last year and also have made them for other families adopting from different countries. I LOVE, love being able to help out others with a similar calling. Those answering the call to adopt. And through that, I realized this adoption journey? It is not just about me.

So not just about me. I want to help others. I want to help these children that do not have a forever family and a place to call home. A place to be loved.

So, I have made up three different Coffee Cuffs. All three are countries in Eastern Europe: Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia.

For each coffee cuff sold, I will be donating half the proceeds to an organization that is devoted to helping these children. These aged out orphans.

The organization I have chosen is called The Harbor. You can find out more about them HERE.

These Coffee Cuffs will be making their debut in the SHOP next week. "Design Your Own" will be available for these as well.

These will be available in the shop until Dec. 1st. Then, not again until the New Year.

Will you help spread the word? What is your calling or God sized dream?

Friday, October 29, 2010

My Very Favoritest Pair

My sun glasses. My favorite sunglasses suddenly bit the dust the other day.

I am sad. My very favoritest (I know, not really word, but let's go with it...) pair that took me forever to find (at Target) and the same pair that traveled to Russia with me when I met Songbird.

Broken. Not fixable. Boo.

Just to give you a little history on me and sunglasses...I have one pair that I LOVED and wore forever that I got on sale. They were Fossil and they were perfect in every way for me...AND they were plum color! I'm not kidding when I say I bought them when I was 17years old and wore them until I was 25.

Yes, yes I did.

I would probably still be wearing them had they not fallen off my head, while I was carrying my huge baby in his carrier to the car, and crashed to the garage floor. They stayed intact just fine, but the lenses were all scratched up. Boo.

SO, I went to my old stand-by ones. Ya know, that extra pair one stashes in case of such things. Ones I bought for a ridiculous $4 when I was the ripe old age of 14. Oh yes, I still had those and wore those until about two years ago.

It sometimes is a little embarrassing...especially when people comment and want to know where I got them...

How to you tell people you've had them over 10 (plus, plus, plus) years and when you do tell them such a thing, guess what?! They look at you like you're a little silly...OR they think it's awesome...

Yeah, Oh well....

So, clearly, when I needed to go in search of new sunglasses, this next pair had to have some serious wow effect with me. Okay, really, comfy. I need comfy and something that helps when evil migraines occur.

Also? I seem to do best with the not really expensive brands, because I am certain! certain, that I would lose or sit on them or something within three seconds. Because, did you read? $4...and lasted almost forever.

SO, when my son saw my broken sunglasses on the kitchen counter, he picked them up, gave me a "oh mom, so sad"face and then said, "I will take a look at them and see if I can fix them for you, mom!".

Ack! I love that kid. He truly gets the importance of mom's sunglasses. Which I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not....

However, this weekend I will go in search of another pair of sunglasses. And when I find them, I am getting TWO pair, because it seems that they only last a year with me now instead of over a decade....

Do you have a favorite pair of sunglasses that have lasted way longer than expected? Surely I cannot be the only one...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Artwork Wall

I love this wall. I love how it changes and evolves through different phases of our days/weeks/months.



It used to look like this:



I loved it then too. Then, I thought it would be super fun to just plaster the whole wall with all the different pictures and paintings and crafty projects....

However, then I decided to repaint that room.

And now, it looks different. But, I think it's a good different.

It has evolved and changed, just as my boy has grown and changed. What was once scribbles has become more defined and intentional.

And it will change again in time.

We (meaning the boy and I) decided we needed to make sure there was room for Songbird's pictures and paintings to hang up too. So, when she arrives, we will rearrange once again.

The ever growing, changing and evolving art work wall.

Yes, I love this wall.


Do you have an art work wall or space in your home? Feel free to share about it! :)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A Little Whimsy

A new item has arrived in the Little Bird shop...

They are Pretty Rosette Pincushion Rings!



I was in my sewing room not too long ago, staring at the many pieces of felt I have hanging about. I was trying to think of some more fun ways to use up these lovely pieces. At the same time, I also have this terrible habit when I sew, of holding the pins in my mouth (I know, sounds gross, but it's more dangerous than gross) and the idea suddenly came to me....I needed a pretty pincushion that was as fun as it was functional!

I mean, I have a pin holder and it's wonderful. But, I really needed something that was going to be able to move about with me. It is also SUPER handy for craft nights and, honestly, just fun to wear in general.

SO, along came the idea and design and the Pretty Rosette Pincushion Ring. I have been using mine for a couple weeks now, ya know, to really make sure it was super functional as well as just fun and pretty......and ya know what?! I have no clue how I worked before without it! Seriously, I've almost (for real!) kicked the habit of the pin in the mouth deal. Okay, held the pin between my lips thing....whatever one wants to call it....

They are fun, they are functional and they make a great and whimsical gift for the crafter in your life!

More colors are to come, but for now you can find a few Pretty Rosettes over in the SHOP!

Monday, October 18, 2010

An Urgency...

I have this insane urgency...this feeling in my gut. I feel it, but I cannot explain it.

Everything is about to change.

No, we don't have our travel dates yet, but we are in the "any day" moments and I just feel...well...you could almost call it "nesting".

Her room is ready, for the most part. She has all the basics she will need, plus a little.

We bought her "gotcha day" outfit. The first new items of clothing she has ever had. Bought just for her...her very own.

A few other new items (shoes, socks, tights, jammies, etc.) and some other clothes my sister has given me from my niece.

I got this feeling and I went to work, laying out everything we will need to take for her. I have it on her bed all ready. Ready for what I'm not sure....to be packed in a suitcase? Perhaps.

I know when "that call" happens, my brain will just get overloaded with all the planning....

Which is why I seem to be "nesting" and getting it all settled and ready to go now. I even have our court clothes all picked out....shoes and all....

If it's one thing I don't want to forget it's our clothes for court and her gotcha day outfit. The rest we can deal with later.

Oh, and coats...it's gonna be much chillier there than here!

Even my son feels it. I can tell in the way he is more snuggly than usual. I breathe in those hugs a little longer knowing I will be away from him the longest I ever have. Yet, at the same time going to take care of my daughter.

I do not know how I will find the balance....being away from one to be with the other. It will be only my second experience doing this. But this time? This time is different. This time she is coming home.

Songbird is coming home with her mama and papa to her forever home. Her forever family.

Yes...everything is about to change...

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Sneak Peeky

Here is a little glimpse of Songbird's room. It's not completely finished, but here is a little sneak peek for ya!

Little vintage shoes I found years ago at an antique store. Love them! 

Songbirds bed (craigslist score!) and no worries, it may look a little plain right now, but I will be adding some throw pillows and such. The cover on the bed is actually another vintage treasure from my hubby's grandmother. It's a beautiful vintage chenille bedspread. 

The fabric bunting (banner? whatchamacallit?) I made using a mix of different fabrics, including Amy Butler.

Art work I made, inspired by this fabulous gal over HERE

Some pretty (and seriously full of glitter that I am certain we will have meandering around for the next 20years...) butterfly wings I scored at my local dollar store. They are hanging on some wooden letters/numbers that used to be in my boy's room. He said he wanted to give them to his sister and helped re-paint them. They were blue/dark blue and now they are purple/lavender. 

And there you have it! A glimpse into her room. We are purposefully keeping it pretty simple. No need to overwhelm our child who truly has never had her own anything. Her own room? her own bed? her very own toys? Yeah, keeping it simple is best. 

There is a table and chairs that we are working on to add to the room for impromptu tea parties and such. The table is from Ikea and the chairs were mine as a little girl. I will show and tell those soon too. 

And I am not sure why, but the color of the walls IRL looks most like the birdy art work pic. The rest are a little lighter, but nonetheless, I love the color! 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Raise Your Hand...

Raise your hand if you are a perpetual misplace-r of measuring tapes!

No? Just me?

Well, I am the owner of three...count them, THREE measuring tapes. Ya know, the ones for measuring whilst sewing and such? Yeah. Three.

However, when I need one, I cannot find one! Pitiful isn't it? It is, just say so.

Out of three, I have no more. I have lost every single one. It's odd, because I use them so often and then I have this thing of putting them around my neck and completely forgetting they are there.

Then you know what I do? Figure out it's still there (thankfully before going to the school pick up) and put it down where I am certain I will remember to grab it and put it away.

Haha.

Yeah, I somehow never put it back where it belongs and, hence, have lost every.single.one.

SO, I finally broke down and bought a new one. I did. And then guess what? Less than two weeks later...it has vanished!

I know, the brand new one! I went to grab it to measure my niece for her super awesome (all designed on her very own) pumpkin princess costume and I could not find it!

However, while looking for something else (completely unrelated to sewing) I found one of my other ones! My only blue one. My favorite one.

Guess what I did? NO, I didn't lose it....I promptly put it where it belongs in my craft studio. Then, I moved it and forgot where I put it.

Seriously, there must be a group for this type of thing...

Monday, September 27, 2010

And the winner is....

Fabulous commenter number 9, who is none other than the amazing....

Kalee!!! Who said...

I was looking for etsy shops selling items to raise money for adoption when I came across you! (I actually know I've seen things from you before, but I'm a bit scatterbrained.)

My word would be "hope." Hope that we will figure out how to make an adoption work. Hope that those trying to adopt are successful. Hope that others will hear the call. And I would love a lovely rectangle if I win!
**********************************************************
Congrats Kalee! Email me your deets and I will make your lovely rectangle "Hope" necklace for you and send it your way!  



Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Name Game

What's in a name?!

Oh, the name game of naming one's child. Songbird (obviously not her real name, but for adoption related purposes will remain Songbird until we can officially reveal her actual name).

For our boy, naming was totally not an issue. We both agreed and that was that.

With our first referral? We loved her Russian name and decided we'd keep it.

With Songbird? We also really like her name, but no one in the States can pronounce it correctly....and it's not even that difficult really! However, my hubs LOVES her name. So does our boy. I like it...it just drives me nuts trying to explain how to correctly say it to those that ask (in person) what her name is.

So, we have compromised a little and given her a middle name that she can also go by. I love her middle name, but we also very much wanted to keep her Russian heritage with her first name. Although, oddly enough, it's not a traditional Russian name....our translator had not yet heard her name until we met her.

Anyhoo......names. I decided to post a list of girl names I like. None of which are Songbirds name, but thought I'd share some of my faves for any possible future children we might have/bring home. :)

Here they are, in no particular order:

-Heidi

-Maeve

-Lily

-Ruby

-Eva

-Larkin (I know, not technically a girl name...)

-Grace

These are just a sampling. I tend to lean towards gender specific names for boys/girls. Not because I think there is anything wrong with gender neutral names, but I have one and it has been a hassle to deal with during my lifetime! However, if people want to name their kiddos gender neutral names...go for it!

I haven't listed boy names simply because I don't really have too many of those.

So, tell me....what are some of your fave names? Boy or girl...feel free to share!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Burlap Can Be Itchy...

Over the weekend I made some no-sew cafe curtains for my kitchen window. Typically, I like to sew things, but I decided to try my hand at the no-sew kinda way.

I chose burlap mainly because we have bamboo shades in our family room, but could not find any (in our budget that is) that would fit nicely in the kitchen. And since the kitchen and family room are connected in a way that would be pretty noticeable, if say I were to choose like hot pink or something for the curtains (not that I would choose that color...) so the burlap was chosen for it's ability to go nicely with the texture and colors of the bamboo.


Anyhoo...so I grabbed me some burlap (which you can find at most Joann's or Hobby Lobby's) and got enough to make two panels, which for me was just over 2yards. Then I measured and cut it to the length I wanted (making sure to add allowance for when I hemmed it up)

Then I took the amazing stitchwitchery (also found at your local craft/fabric store) and followed the manufacturers instructions for bonding it to the fabric.

(sorry for the not so focused pic...)

Then I took them, hung them up with some curtain clip dealy-bobs and folded them and placed clothes pins on them to help the fabric bend where it needed to. Otherwise you have this big, flat panel that just won't hang right.

I let them hang out like that for a couple hours...

And...voila! My burlap no-sew cafe curtains! Easy peasy right?!

And a totally random side note....burlap is itchy! But you probably already knew that. :)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

What's Your Word?

I've had this vintage dictionary for as long as I can remember. Since I was a little girl, I can remember looking through it and it just always being around. I remember I used it to press pretty flowers I had picked as a child. Fun times, fun memories.

It once belonged to my Gramms. Then, she gave it to me. It has since been sitting on a bookshelf, unused, for quite some time. It's old. The binding is coming undone.

As I was sitting in my family room one day, I looked over at it. I thought about how I could repurpose it. How, even though it's beginning to fall apart, I could bring new life to it's pages filled with words.

Then, I thought back to THIS post and was instantly inspired.

And then I made these:




Vintage dictionary wordy pendants. At least, that is what I am currently calling them. They will soon be available in my shop.

BUT! Before I do that, I am thinking I should give one away to one of you!

So, tell me....what's your word? What is your word for 2010 or even what you are thinking of your word being for 2011?

Just leave a comment telling me your word and if you'd like a simple square (7/8") or lovely rectangle (7/8" by 1 1/4").

For Extra Entries:

-Tweet it
-Blog it
-Become a follower (over on the right)

Then, just come back here and leave an additional comment for each! I will draw a winner next Saturday!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Loving Orphans




I've been working on these little by little over the Summer and it's been hard. Every time I just start thinking about the kiddos there at Songbirds orphanage. I think about how wonderful it is that three others there (two in Songbirds group) were being adopted as well. My heart was so happy to know they too would be going to their forever home with their forever family.

But there are so many more. So many.

They need clothing, shoes, socks...underwear. Such basic things really, and yet they have to share all of it. On our first trip we took bunches of socks and underwear for the children. This trip? I am taking handmade appliqued tees.

I cannot wait to be able to take them to the kids there. The kids left behind who will, forever, be in my thoughts.

We have been told we "might be invited soon to travel". Those words both excite and terrify me. It's like preparing to have a baby...you kinda have a due date, but there is plenty to prepare for...and you are never really sure when that "date" is to happen until it does...

Meanwhile, I have plenty of sewing of appliques to do. It's my way of being able to show a little love to some very deserving orphans.

What about you? Any loving projects you have been working on?

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Happy Face!

I didn't get a chance to post this last week with all that was going on. Mainly with me and illness...UGH!

However, before I got food poisoning and migraines from a bad, bad place....I baked cupcakes!

Yes, it was Songbird's birthday. She turned 3. While my boy was at school, I baked the yummy vanilla cupcakes and then we decorated them when he got home from school. The theme he chose for his little sister? Happy Faces! We decided on pink and yellow frosting, with white eyes and mouths.

And here they are!

I wish I could tell you more about our Songbird and show you a picture or two, but I cannot. Not until we are official and given the go ahead to post her name/pics etc. However, I will tell you this....her smile lights up her face. Which in turn lights up ours. It took her a little bit to smile at us when we first met her, but once she warmed up to us that little smile kept popping about.

Oh how I wish I could have been able to give her one of these. I know she does not understand what a birthday is yet. And I know that in the future birthdays can/will bring up emotions and feelings in her of sadness and questions. It will break my heart to see her hurting, but I also understand it is something that she needs to process. I too would wonder about the person that gave birth to me if I were to never have known them. I think it only natural. And? We will be there for her, loving her through it all...no matter what.

So, have a cupcake will you?! I made plenty to share...so here you are! A virtual cupcake all for you. :)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Did Ya Know?!

Did ya know it's National Sewing Month?! Well, it is!



Be sure to go check out the Official Home of National Sewing Month for some fun projects, contests and giveaways!

Do you have a sewing project you are working on, wanting to start or wishing you could complete?! Have you been wanting to learn to sew, but haven't begun the process of learning?! Well, take the time this month to try something new! Start small, dream big and see what happens...

OH! And please share any fun things you are working on or have plans to work on! Feel free to share a link to it as well.

Happy Sewing to you!!!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Lovin' It


What I am loving today? This jelly roll fabric I picked up. It's Hunky Dory by Chez Moi for Moda Fabrics.

Love it. Love, love, LOVE it!

I plan to use it to make THIS quilt. I plan to make this quilt for Songbird.

I should probably get started on it too. But first, one more week of Summer and snuggling my boy before he heads back to school!


Do you have a sewing or quilt project you are working on?! Feel free to show&tell!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Sometimes Ya Gotta Just Let Go...


We went to the beach this past weekend for a little family getaway and to celebrate my son's birthday. He wanted more than anything (anything!) to go to the beach for his birthday. So, we did!

We found a place right on the beach that fit our adoption budget. No frills or fancy, but we just wanted to hang on the beach, so we took the no frills.

It was kinda nice not having to plan, send invites and all that jazz this year. Not that I mind doing that, but having a low-key, stress free planning of a simple birthday party just can't be beat. At least this year for our family....we've had enough stress and crazy to last a while!

So, we headed to the beach. I do not have many pictures of our beach vacation. One, our goal was to spend time together and just chill.

We did.

Another goal? To boogie board with my son and build a sand castle.

We did.

These things take time and as much as I wanted to just grab the camera at so many different moments, I didn't. It was hard, but I knew that in all the running and grabbing the camera and snapping would mean losing out on the memories being made in those precious moments.
(this pic taken by my boy)

Maybe I don't have a gazillion photos to show for it, but the snapsots in my memory.....in my son's memory, are priceless.

I want him to remember this beach vacation/birthday celebration, not with his mama constantly with a camera stuck on her face attempting to capture the moments, but actually making memories by being together.....and boogie boarding.

Oh, and also? My camera battery died and we forgot more batteries to switch out with. We got some more the next day, but ya know what?! It forced me to put the camera down, relax and just let go....

It was fabulous.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Lemonade Success!

It's hot outside. HOT I tell ya! So, I made a refreshing batch of lemonade!

I couldn't find the few recipes I had stashed (apparently in a location where things vanish...), so I did a random google search for a lemonade recipe...And THIS is what I found.

Naturally, Paula Deen certainly could not disappoint! And she didn't.

I will admit I can be kinda picky about my lemonade. I do not like it too sweet. I actually prefer it more tart. However, this recipe?! This one HERE....fabulous! Delish! LOVE it!

And yes, I am on my third glass...

Thursday, July 8, 2010

A Gift With Some Sticky!

Did I ever show you what I decided to make and give to my nephew for his 11th B-day?!

No? Well, I shall share then!

Took some of this:


Used THIS tutorial


And VOILA! A handmade gift!


The report from my sis was that he loved it. Actually, his words were" mom, did you see this?! It's so cool!".

Whew! Mission accomplished. The older he gets, the harder gift-giving can be. Good thing I have a super cool son that helped me out a TON with this. He even picked the colors of the tape. :)

Have you ever made one of these?! It's pretty fun!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Strawberries!!!

We have strawberries!!!


Ok, correction. We had strawberries. I took these before we left for Russia.

Apparently, when one leaves the country and then returns and kinda forgets to water the plants like they are supposed to be, they shrivel up and go away.

Sadness.

I blame the jet lag...

Anyone got some tips on keeping strawberries going and growing?!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A Glass of Wishes


My son came inside from the backyard and got a glass and put some water in it. Then he took it outside with him. When he came back in, he gave to it me and said, "here's a glass full of wishes for you mom!".

Then my heart melted.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Part 2 of A Girl Who Likes to Ride Her Bike.....and Swim and Run (sorta)

Race Day.

4:30AM. Alarm. Ugh...

Thankfully I had packed all my gear the night before. I think I checked over things like 100 times too. Things I did NOT want to forget:

-Sunglasses

-Sunscreen

-hat for the run

-gum

-WATER!!!

Plenty of other things too. Like snacks....I'll get to that in a minute. :)

Meanwhile...I had planned on getting some good rest. HA! I did not know an allergy of sneezing was gonna hit late the previous afternoon and cause some serious crazy tickle-y nose and throat. The tickle-y throat caused me to awake coughing way too many times...

I got up, dressed and decided to stick to my usual oatmeal that I had been having during all my training. I would either have that or a breakfast bar. The day before they talked a little about what to eat/not to eat and mainly said stick to what you've been doing as this is NOT the time to try something new.

I took a couple bites of my oatmeal and thought I was gonna puke. To the breakfast bar I went! My sister arrived and I decided to nibble on the breakfast bar and sip some water on the way there.

We arrived a little past 5:30am...good thing too! We only had until 6:45 to set up our transition area. AND there was a looong wait for the shuttles to take us, so by the time we got into the transition area, we had less than 30min. to get things set up. Whew!

And not that it took THAT long really. Just that I had to air up my tires cause they said to let a little air out because of the heat and no one wanted to hear all the "pop, pop, pops" that happens when such high temps and bike tires are concerned.

So, I had let some air out of my tires. I made sure to bring my own pump, even though they did have people on hand to help out with that, it was highly recommended to bring your own just in case.

Well.....things were going just fine until I went to pump up the tires. My pump woud.not.work! My sister brought hers over and we still could not get it to register right. By this time we had less than 10minutes before transition was to be closed down. Once that happened too bad charlie if you forgot something! I quickly got the rest of things set up for T1 (transition 1) and grabbed my swim cap and goggles and headed over to the long line awaiting the fabulous people to put air in our bike tires....

I got through the line and had like TWO minutes to get outta there and over to where the swim started. Whew!

For those wondering, this is what I basically had to transition to the bike set out:

-Beach towel folded up to step on.
-Extra bottle of water to swish the extra gunk off my feet and a little towel to dry 'em off before putting on my socks. Came in VERY handy!
-My shoes already set out, laces ready to just tie up. Sock in the shoes so it was easy to locate and put on.
-My new Bondi band...LOVE! I usually wore a bandana under my bike helmet to catch the extra sweaty-ness from the Texas heat. Well, I discovered these at the Expo and I am never going back! They rock.
-Bike helmet of course and my bike gloves
-GUM!
-Water bottle already in holder ready to go.
-Snacks in the pouch I put on my bike to carry stuff. What kinda snacks? Extra breakfast bar, some energy beans and shot blocks. More on this to come....

OH! And something to think about, get a cheapy pair of flipflops you can just toss off before heading into the water. It also makes it a little nicer if you have to run to a port-a-potty before the swim too, just sayin'. :)

We headed over to the swim start. We had a little bit of a wait seeing how we were in the LAST swim wave. It was pretty awesome though seeing the start and all the different waves and colors of caps ahead of us. It was almost like a rainbow of sorts. Amazing seeing the survivor wave go....wow.

I have to say, by this time my nerves were pretty darn calm! Time came for us to start heading down to get in the water.

My sister looked at me and said, "Whoa! Butterflies!". I have to say, the swim, the open water swim I thought would freak me out? It didn't. Everyone around me was having all the same feelings. I was actually just in this zone and ready to start.

Then the countdown began....and we were off!

Now, let me stop here to tell you....there were some serious feet and elbows happening. Sheesh! It's probably where I ended up with the strange bruise on my arm I have absolutely no recollection of getting, but it was there when I crossed the finish. Oh well...

The swim. I survived it just fine and even finished 3 minutes before I thought I would!

Then, off to the bike!

There were some hills. Especially one giant one....at the end of the bike course! But, it went well. I met an awesome person when I had to stop and walk up one hill. A hill I didn't think was all that bad until I started going backwards as I was trying to peddle upwards....oops.

No matter, my new friend Jules and I, we buddied up for the rest of the bike. It was awesome and we were able to keep each other encouraged. I even shared some of my energy beans with her!

Speaking of, of all the different gel vs not gel and stuff, my favorite energy deal was jelly belly energy beans. They did not make me want to puke and they were easy enough to eat during it all. And heck, it was like eating candy! Made it more fun I think. :)

It was hot. I hydrated plenty while biking. Had to since it was supposed to be like 100 that day. In reality, the "feels like" temp was said to be 115 degrees....oh yeah, I felt that! Especially when it came to the run part.

Now, I knew I was going to be walking part of the run....little did I know I was to end up walking most all of the run. The cloud cover let up and it was just HOT! I knew my limits and I knew to finish I had to take it slow and steady. This was my first tri and it won't be my last. Next time? I plan to run all of it and train accordingly.

There was another hill. Again, didn't seem too bad. Another gal and I buddied up on the walk part. She was a few waves ahead of me, but had some bike trouble that caused her a pretty significant delay. She had planned to run the run too...she and I encouraged one another and helped each other get.up.that.hill.

At the top they kept saying "you're almost there, you'll see the finish line when you get here!". Haha....that hill truly seemed never ending.

But! We made it. We saw the finish and we were motived.

We got closer to the finish and I see this little person running towards me....it was my son. My son!

He ran to me, took my hand, we walked a little ways and then we ran across the finish together. That was the most awesome feeling ever!

We finished! I finished!

I am now officially a triathlete. Seems so surreal, but it is so!

Now, the countdown to Russia!

More on that to come....

A Girl Who Likes to Ride Her Bike.....and Swim and Run (sorta) Part 1

I haven't really talked too terribly much about the triathlon I have been training for. The triathlon that I completed this past Sunday.

WOW!

I chose to do the Danskin Triathlon because:

1. I like that it helps to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

2. It is a super friendly first-timer triathlon.

3. It's something I could train for and do together with my sister.

4. The training required was easy enough to manage throughout the week...for the most part. Illness and little one(s) to care for can factor in some creative timing/scheduling.

I started training with my sister back in February. I was NOT a strong swimmer. I liked biking enough....I am NOT a strong runner.

Through the weeks of training, I became a stronger swimmer. I learned that I LOVE riding my bike, even for longer distances and up hills. I am still not a strong runner, but I can accept that it is just not my strongest event. Something to work on I suppose....

At first, the thought of swimming 1/2 mile did not seem too terrible. Then, I counted how many laps that was in the pool....wha?!?! I could not imagine doing 10 laps, much less 17. Then, before I knew it...18, 20, 25 laps.....I was doing more than I needed and wanted to do more!

My first bike ride past 2 miles was quite tiring! There are some great trails close by and we would go on those. They are both paved and crushed granite. Yeah, trails not paved are much harder work, but worth it for the strengthening! It's kinda like running on the beach as opposed to just road. Maybe not as bad, but close.

Running, well, as my running instructor had told me months before when I said I was determined to run the whole 5K part of it....."Don't pressure yourself too much. It's OK to walk it. A lot of people do. Just take it all in and enjoy it". She was right and I am glad I listened. I did walk...almost ALL of it! And it gave me the time I needed to just soak it all in.....and before I knew it I was a mile from becoming a triathlete! Now, that is not to say I will not work on attempting to run more of it the next time....oh yes, there will be a next time!

The Day before the race there was an Expo along with packet pick up. They had a course and race day overview and I am glad I attended that part of it because the day before?! I had a serious case of the nerves....I suddenly was wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into! Swim, Bike AND Run (for me walk)...all back to back?! But mainly, it was the transitions that made me nervous. However, after going for packet pickup, my nerves were calmed and I was excited! If you are a first timer and they have such a thing, I recommend attending it.

Then, I got emotional. Why?! Because this race was about more than just doing a triathlon. There were some amazing women involved. And several of these women? They are cancer survivors. This is just a quick pic I took at the race day overview, when they asked all the cancer survivors sitting in the audience to come up on stage. This is just a handful of these women. Wow, talk about putting it all in perspective:

I got teary-eyed. Here I was sweating about T1 and T2 and these women had survived the biggest battle of their lives!

I can do this.

After that, we had to go to the transition area and "rack our bikes". I had NO clue what I was doing, but thankfully they had covered a little of that during the course/race day overview.

I found the location for where I was to rack my bike. I counted the rows to and from and put a little marker to make it easier to find my bike in the masses. Basically it was a bright colored bandana that I tied to my bike and the pole...just enough of something that was familiar to catch my eye. Some people tied balloons, others swim noodles all spiffied up. My little bright colored bandana worked just fine for me.

Here is it, all racked up for race day:

Oh! And here is the lake I was going to get to swim in...

And don't be fooled by this pic....it makes the water look more blue, but it was gross and green.
Then, my sis and I drove back to our homes. It was time to relax, and for me? Obsess and triple check all my gear. Cause, ya know, that's what I do. And I did.

Then? I REALLY needed to get some sleep because it was gonna be an early morning! As in, we needed to be there at 5:30....

The final Q&A...for now

Okay, and here are the last 2 questions!

From Anonymous who asked:

What made you want to start your blog?

Ya know, that is a very good question! Mainly just to have a place to keep all my crafty ideas and such. Then, as my business grew, it became a great place to make and share, if you will. I have really loved getting to know other bloggers in the community and just have fun creating and crafting!

AND

Last question from the lovely kraftykash who asked:

What would be your ideal way to spend your birthday this year?

Hmmm, well, I spent it with my hubby and son which is always a treat! I also got to spend some time with my sister getting a mani/pedi and some much needed girl time.

Really, I am pretty simple when it comes to my b-day. Although, I wouldn't mind spending some time at the beach just relaxing! :)


And for the bonus cuz I know you are just itching for some more "get to know more about Jaime than you ever wanted to" bonus! So here it is:

The first EVER Starbucks drink I ever had was a Mocha Velencia....oh the deliciousness of it! Unfortunately, they do not make it any longer. Too bad though, it was awesome!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

A little Q&A Part 2

Okay....more answers to your lovely questions!

From the fabulous Janna who asked:

1. Who taught you how to sew?

2. Which part of your triathlon are you most worried about (swim, bike or run)?

3. How did you and your husband meet?

Oh and will that pouch hold diapers? :)

To answer #1: My Gramms for the most part! The rest I kinda just gathered and had plenty of trial and error through! :)

For #2: I have to say the swim. I am not worried about the distance, but the water....I am NOT a fan of swimming in lakes. *shudder*. And I have to say I have a little anxiety about the bike, even though I LOVE riding my bike, I decided ( with my sister's suggestion) to go check out the bike route for the race....bad idea for me. I am better NOT knowing what I am in for and just bite the bullet the day of. Get the distance training in and just go for it, but my sister is opposite. She likes it all mapped out. BUT! Then, I have had three more weeks to think about some daunting hills....let's not think about it any more shall we?! ;) I know I am as ready as I can be though....and I am just gonna imagine I am in a swimming pool....not a warm icky lake....

OK....and for #3: My hubby and I actually met through mutual friends in HS. Then we starting going to the same church, became good friends and a year later started dating....been together ever since! I know, not a super exciting story by any means, but I'll take it!

Oh, and no, it won't hold diapers. It's just a little zippy pouch great for cosmetics or the like. :)


AND, for the total random bonus:

I absolutely hate doing dishes. Despise it. However, I do not mind putting them away.....I know, totally weird.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Some Q&A Time Part 1

Okay, so you asked and I promised to answer!

So here goes....with just some added bonus info for fun. :)

Andrea asked:

what is something that gives you daily (or almost daily) inspiration?

Without a doubt, my son. He has inspired so much from the beginning of Little Bird. Actually, without him Little Bird wouldn't exist!

Other than my fun side-kick son, nature, textiles and different fabric prints can sometimes spark an idea that then starts morphing into more of a project of some sort.


And Craft Micahroni asked:

My question is, how close are you to bringing your little one home?

Well, closer than we were last week, but with two trips (trip one coming up SOON just next month!) and a court date, it's still going to be a while. However, we do think it will be by years end...

K, last one for the day...

eileensideways asked:

u are standing in line to buy a book, what book are you buying?

Ah, great question! Being in both the adoption mind set as well as crafting, I will need to pick two!

This one:

Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps

AND

This one:

Adopted For Life

Oh! AND...she also asked:

if u didn't know how old you were, what age would u want to be? and why?

I think 27. It was just a great year that I can remember. My little boy was then turning two and becoming quite fun! It was also a good year in learning a lot more about who I was and where I was going, both as a wife and mother. Yeah, I liked that year....and the ones after have not been too bad either! ;)


OKAY and a totally random "get to know more about Jaime than you ever wanted to" bonus:

I love chinese food. When we go to eat chinese food, I cannot eat without using chopsticks! Why? Because I grew up going at least every one of my Gramms birthdays to a chinese restaurant and when I was 7, my cousin Mark and I decided to try them out. I've never stopped using them since! And my son? He started using them at about 4yrs. :)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

This Day...


This day, ten years ago, I married the love of my life! A decade together...wow.

In ten years we have had

-joy
-sorrow
-laughter
-pain
-a child through birth
-mourned not being able to have more when we wanted
-learned God's incredible grace and timing truly is not our own
-the journey of bringing home a child through adoption
-learned again how God's timing is perfect, not ours
-more moments than I can recount here together in this amazing life of marriage

We have grown in ways I never knew we could...or would.

We have learned to bend and sway with the gusting winds life can sometimes bring into a marriage. We have learned to choose to love each other through it all.

I cannot imagine my life without this man. My partner in this journey.

I love you babe. I cannot wait to see what the next decade and beyond brings for us. Happy Ten Years Together!