Featured! (and prints I've been working on)

A really terrific blog featured my shop in a massive giveaway.  And I'm glad, not only because any publicity for the shop is welcome, but because I've fallen in love with the blog that featured me.  To enter the giveaway (you can win one of my prints or some other really amazing items) click HERE. You can enter until July 20. Thanks Susannah!

And, some prints:

These two are custom prints for my friend, Candida's, nursery:

And another custom print for my friend, Jamie.  Hoping to inspire her two little girls :)  Anybody have a heartwarming quote for brothers? My boys need a little inspiration, too! :

So, check out my shop, spread the word, and if you would like custom work, I'm more than happy to oblige!

Craft Exchange

 My super cute friend, Candida, had the brilliant idea to start a craft exchange.  Once a month, we make something for each other, and then mail it off.  It's so fun to search out ideas, make the chosen item, and mail it.  And, it's really fun to get a package in the mail!
This month, our first month, I made her an eye pillow.  It's filled with flaxseed.  She can keep it in the freezer so it's nice and cold, and it's great in reducing puffiness in eyes, and aiding in relaxation (especially if you live in uber hot AZ!).  I used mine while I practiced Hypnobabies in preparation for Natalie's birth, and she's practicing Hypnobabies now in preparation of the birth of her third baby in just a few short weeks!
I made a simple sack using unbleached muslin, and then embroidered and pieced an envelope cover for it.

She made me a shirred ruffle scarf.  I'd take a picture of it, but I'm wearing it right now (because I love it).
I can't wait for our next exchange!

Summer So Far, Photo Overload, Etc., Etc.

I had the best of intentions to post all of our summer adventures...as they happened.  Then my computer crashed.  Ug.  But let me tell you, that computer was trying to die from the moment I bought it.  I guess it finally got its wish, and I finally got a new computer (thanks to my rad brother who BUILT me a new one).  But by the time I I got my new computer, I was so backlogged on posts that I was overwhelmed, and I kept putting it off, and neglected my poor, poor blog.  Today though, I am biting the bullet and I'm going to try to catch up...all in one post.  Are you with me?!

Summer school is going strong...though my ability to document it in photos is lacking :)

In science class, we've learned all about reflection and refraction, water molecules, sound waves, carbon dioxide, and centrifugal force and centripetal force.  Awesome.  My kids are now bursting with knowledge :)

In cooking class, we've covered various different kinds of cakes, and how to make rolls.  Yum! My kids love to cook, and I must say that they've become handy little kitchen helpers.

For art class, we've covered Degas, Georgia O'Keefe, Alberto Giacometti, and Picasso.

Ethan turned 5:

These are the rockin' cookie monster cupcakes that I made. (please excuse the bad pictures.  Ethan's birthday pictures were sadly lost in the computer crash :(  I stole these two off of my facebook page, but the quality is less than ideal)

Money for a gift is always a huge hit!

Matthew turned 7 and I threw him a chef birthday party.  Sewing 15 chef hats and aprons nearly sucked the life out of me, but the party was a lot of fun, and made all the work totally worth it.  We made pizzas, fruit sushi, and shirley temples.

We had a great, laid back Fourth of July.  We went to our town's parade, I made apple pies (totally American, right?) we had a barbecue with family, and then went to see our town's fireworks display. The weather was PERFECT.  In fact, the weather all summer has been absolutely wonderful.  

So excited for our town's parade.

Phew.  All done.  Kudos to you if you made it to the end :)