I'm stepping out...

......of my comfort zone that is. Tomorrow is the local County Fair and I have committed to enter two photographs and one into a local contest. This is scary, because I normally don't like to put myself out there asking for judgement, but hey I'll give it a try. I don't expect to win anything. I'm mainly trying to baby step my way out on a limb and stop being such a chicken;)

I will post the results after the fair next week, if you promise not to laugh.

I also decided to give Amelia's "Fashion Forward Friday" challenge a try.

The challenge was getting a photo of myself that I was willing to share with you.

With five kids, I need quick on the go lips. I almost always choose a shade of pink (of course).

For the days I feel like an updo, I use lip liner to line and lightly color in my lips and top them off with my favorite lip gloss .

Most days, my choice is my favorite Burt's Bees Pomegranate chapstick. It has a light shade of pink and is absolutely a must for scrumptious lips.

Poppers anyone?

I know it's summer, but these are still irresistable. When we make these, my sweet husband eats so many of them, it amazes me that he still likes them at all.

They are jalepeno peppers filled with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon.

First wash and slice your peppers lengthwise.

Clean the seeds out and fill with cream cheese.

*Use gloves because the pepper juice will get into your skin and burn. It will also get into your eyes or mouth even if you have washed your hands.*

Then wrap them in bacon. One slice per pepper half.

Place them on a microwave and oven safe dish and microwave on high for 13 minutes. This is the blanching process and very important or the peppers will be too hot to eat.

The bacon will cook slightly while in the microwave.

Preheat oven to 350. Remove poppers from microwave and pour off grease carefully.

Then cook them in the oven for 15 minutes or until bacon is crispy, but not burned.

Remove from oven and place on paper towel to absorb excess grease. Please allow them to cool a little, because they will burn your mouth. (believe me, I have tried them too soon)



Let me know how you like them.

Wordless Wednesday...... Scooters 101

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More Fabulous Auctions

With only a few days left in our guest launch, I couldn't resist showing you a few more of these fabulous auctions. Be sure to get them while you can.

Here are some adorable auctions from

Little*Shamrocks, Growing*up*with*Rosie, Rococo*Kids,

and Periwinkle*Twinkle

The Rewards

As I sift through my orders and try to get through another day of juggling, I look at pictures like this of sweet little angels wearing the stuff I made!

It takes me back to before I knew much about turning my children into models, the internet boutique fashion world, my self-taught crash course in photography, HTML, templates, frames, graphic arts, sleepless nights, and predicting the next big thing.

Back to the blissful days when I used my sewing machine and my creative mind for the simple outlet of creativity that was so therapeutic to me. My true love of the creation and seeing sweet little people jumping, giggling, and dare I say it.... playing in the stuff I make.

This is why I do this, oh and of course, there are those sweet people that I have made friends with along the way that keep me comin' back for more.

Thanks to my customer, friends, and the sweet little children that are my true inspiration and my love for this business.

Come check out the show

Remember earlier this week I told you that Children of the World was hosting an Asian Fashion Show?

Well, we have invited some very talented ladies to join us in our first ever guest launch and they have come up with some of the most adorable stuff!

I just had to share them with you. I think you will love them too.

Here are a few of the amazing designs from Luvnstitches, PaintedButterflyStudio, and GumDrop*Shop

Want to see more designs? Click here.

Thanks for letting me share. There are so many, I may post a few more next week!

Friendship Day

Happy Friendship Day to all of my friends online and offline.

It's not often

that you get to see who you look like. After reading Amelia's blog today, I decided to give this a try.

http://www.myheritage.com

My little artists

My children are all blessed with an artistic eye and they love to express themselves in some of the most creative ways.

While this may not be the most creative way to express themselves it is easier to remove than on the walls or floors (which I have plently of already).

I had to laugh when I caught my 3 year old coloring on my baby. I ask her why she has to draw on her sister. She replies simply, "I'm making her pretty mom!"

Well, what do I know anyway, I just mom!

Then a few days later, my 2 year old comes out of the bedroom sporting this....

I just laugh.

Worless Wednesday

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A new listing

I am so pleased to share my newest creation with you.

Children of the World Boutique has recently launched our Asian Fashion Show launch and it is filled with yummy creations from some of the best designers in the boutique world.

The launch lasts two weeks, so many of our designers and our guests will be listing later this week and some will be listing more than one auction!

So stop over and visit us on ebay, you won't regret it.

This two piece set is loaded with dainty details and so fitting with the Sweet Lolita designs.

To see my Amaloli click here

The smell of rain

After many days of sweltering temperatures and failed attempts at rain, we welcomed the tiny drops as they pounded on the rooftops and filled the potholes. I opened the doors and windows to let in the sweet smell of the rain.

I know there are many in the world who would love to see the end of the rain and sunshine again, but today I was glad to see rain.

In days when things are so unpredictable, I take every minute to be greatful for the blessings and today I am greatful for a little rain and a cool breeze.

If only I had SuperPowers

Your Superpower Should Be Invisibility

You are stealth, complex, and creative. You never face problems head on. Instead, you rely on your craftiness to get your way. A mystery to others, you thrive on being a little misunderstood. You happily work behind the scenes... because there's nothing better than a sneak attack! Why you would be a good superhero: You're so sly, no one would notice... not even your best friends Your biggest problem as a superhero: Missing out on all of the glory that visible superheroes get

What Should Your Superpower Be?

Some days I think I would like to be Elastigirl more than any because
keeping up with the kiddies keeps me running in circles.

Memories of yesterday....... Wordless Wednesday

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Aaahhhhh......

If I get this post published it will be a small miracle. I have been trying over the past two days to post with no luck.

Anyway, I have almost finished editing hundreds of photos taken when we went to our family reunion. It was a beautiful drive with the endless pine trees and mountains.

And the occasional winding river...



The fishing was fabulous

We were able to take the canoe out on a local lake and that was so much fun. The water was so pristine and beautiful. The kids had a blast playing in the water and burrying themselves in the sand.

The town we stayed in was so cute. Everything had a rustic western appeal and they named their streets after people. These were a couple of my favorites.

And of course there was the Lunch Counter....

By the time we made it home I had heard "are we there yet" enough times to last me a lifetime.

Glad to be back:)

I will try to post a few more pictures throughout the week.

Wordless Wednesday

More on Wordless Wednesday

Only a few days left

Remember the giveaway for this necklace?

Guess what.....

I have decided to extend the deadline for entry until July 5th.

So in case you missed the first post, you still have a chance. Just sign up for my mailing list.

I will draw the lucky winner's name from my mailing list subscribers on the 5th and announce the winner!

I can't smell the passion bark, mommy.....

I have always had a great interest in essential oils and I have used a wide variety of pure and blended oils, but none (that I can remember) have effected me the way Cassia Bark did the first time I smelled it. I was immediately addicted, I couldn't get enough of that smell.
I searched for a bottle of my own, but couldn't find it locally, so my sister so kindly gave me her bottle.
The smell is a woodsy cinnamon scent. It is very strong and is said to energize the body (I take as much energy as I can get these days), it also can stabilize the mind and encourage the spirit. I put some on a cotton ball and put it in my vaccuum today. I was busily vaccuuming the house when all of the kids came running into the room asking, "What's that smell mommy? What's that smell?" I told them Cassia Bark. Then later this evening, my 3 year old came into the room proclaiming, "I can't smell the Passion Bark, Mommy!"
It has become a family favorite and really does revitalize me when I'm feeling a little blue.

Wordless Wednesday

My iPod Today

On the heels of my last post, I started thinking about the music on my iPod. I haven't shared a whole lot about me as a person on my blog yet, so it was a little hard to determine the music I listen to.

The music one listens to really says a lot about the person or knowing about the person a little really helps determine the type of music they might choose.

Now that Ameila has guessed what's on my iPod, I thought I would share some of the other stuff on it with you.

A little Johnny Cash for my nostalgic side

Social Distortion for the get up and move

Little bit of Trace and Kenny when I'm feelin' a little country

Jack Johnson and John Mayer And I gotta have TheCure

And when I'm feeling bluesy, I just love Joe Bonamassa

Oh, don't let me forget my favorite solo guitarist Robert Linton

So I guess there's a lot about me if you like reading into the music of a person:)

As for other news, I told you my birthday was looming. We spent the weekend out without the kids. This is the first weekend I have spent without ANY of the kids in a very long time. We usually take the two youngest with us always. Can I say woohooty hoot whoooo without sounding too excited;)

I love my kids, but wow, it's nice to sit there after a nice dinner and just chat and to see a movie in the theatre? That is something we rarely ever get to do. So what did we choose to see?? Fantasic Four of course, hee hee.

My blogging withdrawls

I hadn't realized how much I have missed blogging until I started yesterday again. After my blog entry, I kept thinking of the many things I would love to share with you. Is this blogging thing and addiction for me or an obsession? I found myself thinking about it in the night even. I'm sure by now you think I am a wierdo, but really, I go through my day looking at things as if they are bloggable and not bloggable. You would be amazed at how many things I think about blogging, but because of my current mommy status, I rarely find the time to blog. You are in my thoughts though.





I am also feeling like another giveaway. Maybe it's my 30th birthday looming over my head that has brought me to this state of being, but I want to give away something today!

So all you have to do is tell me "What's on my iPod today?"

The first person to tell me one correct answer will win this cute little pillow.

So much to say, so little time....

Gosh with the kids out of school, I have little time to hang out with you guys. I'm sorry for leaving the last post so long. Hey at least it was a happy one, hee hee:)

We spent Father's Day weekend, I spent the entire weekend on a camping trip with my family. It was so much fun to watch the kids enjoying the creek, dirt, and roasting marshmallows!
We ate very well and played the entire time. No technology to disrupt the family bonding.
One of my favorite meals of the weekend was bbq ribs, so I thought I would share the recipe.




Mouth Watering Ribs
Boneless pork ribs (as many as you need to feed your group)
1 12oz. can of Coke
1 bottle of Famous Daves Sweet and Zesty barbeque sauce

In a saucepan or slowcooker, place ribs, can of coke, and half of the bbq sauce. Cook for 1 hour on medium.
Then before the ribs get too soft, remove them from the juices and place them on the bbq grill. Cover them with the remaining bbq sauce and grill until no pink remains. Serve immediatly with a little of that Famous Daves bbq sauce for dipping!

Now I'm getting hugry:)

I also listed this 6 piece set with Persnickety for the Camden Market launch.

You have to go and check out the great listings over there.

And remember the post about a giveaway? For all of my loyal mailing list subscribers, I am giving away one of my favorite necklaces.

That's right, on June 30th I will draw one winning name from my mailing list to win this very unique necklace. So if you're not already a member, then come on and join us.

Laugh Therapy

Laughing is so good for the soul. I try to laugh often, but some days. Well, I'm sure you know. Some days it's a little harder to laugh.

I have this little angel in my life though that won't let a day pass without invoking an uncontrollable laugh from me. She is the first of my children that will laugh on command and it is so cute and innocent that I can't keep a straight face.

What may have started out with me simply saying "laugh honey" always ends in both (or everyone in the room) laughing until tears roll as she throws her head back and cackles with her contagious innocense and theraputic outlook on life.

These are the moments in life to really enjoy!

All wrapped up

I had so much to get caught up on this weekend, it seems like Finish it Friday blended right into Mend it Monday.

I was successful though. I finished two pillows, which I plan to give away on my blog:) I finished one of the two quilts I had started. Two large stack of mending finished. Some of it I had put off for so long, my family didn't even remember they had it. My sweet husband had no idea he had even purchased a pair of pants that he had asked me to alter.

It has been so invigorating to clear some things off of my plate. Now I have room for new fresh ideas, not to mention more room for more fabric!

I also promised more jewels and I have been busy taking more pictures!

This one is for the little girls. It is fully adjustable. $7.00

This one is for mom or dad, also fully adjustable.

$9.00

This one is also $9.00 and of course, free shipping on all of these!
And they also qualify for the Grand Opening buy 3 get the 4th FREE. Mix and match even!