small style {handmade}.

Ever since I was little I remember thinking, I hope I have a girl someday. And lookie here, now I have two. And heck, we may just end up with a house full of them. [Who knows. I'm not picky, all girls, girls and boys, babies are so darn cute, it doesn't matter with me. But more indeed, I do hope.]

The point is, I love, love making things for my girls. This past weekend when we went on a train ride on Father's Day the girls wore t-shirt dresses I made. The one Naomi has on is made from a shirt I got while in Germany in 2001, and the sleeves are made from a vintage apron. And peeps, please don't think oh, I could never do that. Because you can, it really isn't too difficult. I can sew, yes, but I'm not some genius at it. If you look close you will see flaws, but I'm okay with that, it gives it character. [That's what you are suppose to say when something is messed up, it has character, you know.] I paired Audrey's with some shorts from Target and Naomi with baby leggings from Target. [I use baby leggings A LOT. Especially in the summer when it's hot outside, but cold in air conditioning. Quick and easy to remove and put on!]

Once I figured out how to make cute skirts for the girls, I just haven't been able to stop. Which is part of the reason I opened my Etsy shop. Skirts are awesome because you can wear them in the summer or with leggings or jeans under in the winter.

You don't have to tell me twice, I KNOW, she is getting so, so big and strong!

Naomi is wearing:
Shirt- Target
Skirt- Me, Rosemary's Cuppa
Shoes: Robeez

[Audrey didn't want her picture taken. That's a two-year old for you. Oh well.]

I'm linking up with the beautiful, Morgan, over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday. Go check out the other cutie-patooties!

can i tell you.

In the last four days.

Audrey scratched her cornea really bad and had to go to the eye doctor and get ridiculously expensive eye drops. Which basically wiped out an entire day after lots of crying and the doc trying to figure out what was wrong. [Trying to open the eye of a two year old who is in severe pain is not easy. Just fyi.] But, she is okay now.

We went to Chuck E Cheeses. [I'm not a big fan of this place. Kids have to win a zillion tickets just to trade them all in for a small plastic frog that they lose five minutes later in the van. Plus it smells like old metal-plastic.] But Audrey loves it there. Especially when she gets to go with her aunts and cousin. So we go.

We went to the zoo. I love the zoo. But honestly, the dolphin show is lame. [Which is funny, because dolphins are basically my favorite animal. Although I love watching the baboons.]

I participated in a handmade fair all day on Saturday. It was good, and always inspiring to be around other creative people like that. I also posted new skirts in the shop!

Tie all that in with the usually dinner dates with friends, luncheons after church, dancing in the living room, and cupcake making with homemade buttercream icing and you have yourself a full couple of days.

And some just because pictures to throw in there.

(This week I plan on adding some new hair accessories to my little shop, be on the lookout!)

Now tell me something I don't know about you. :) Also, happy May. I really hope all these April showers we have been having brings those May flowers.

unspoken words.

Have you told her lately thank you? Thank you for the many, many nights of of rocking/feeding/soothing me when I was a baby. Thank you for putting up with my hormonal-self during teen years. Thank you for just being there when I acted like I didn't need you, but I really did. I still do.

Have you told her lately that the small moments really did matter. The pudding dessert dishes that we anxiously awaited for till after dinner. The hot chocolate that heated on the wood burning stove while we played in the snow.

Have you treated her to her favorite dessert just because? Here's a pineapple shake, just because I love you.

Have you called her lately for just a simple hello? Hey, Jesus, could you tell her hi for me.

Have you hugged her or held her hand like when you were a child? I vividly remember holding your hand during church when I was little and examining all the creases in detail, and thought these are my mama's hands.

Have you provided a meal for her as a very small thank you for all the meals she provided you? Have a seat and don't get up. Let me serve you for once.

It will be five years tomorrow since the last exchange of words with my mom. She battled Breast Cancer for 4.5 years, and then went to be with Jesus on April 15, 2006.

Mother's Day 2005, the last Mother's Day we had with her

Please don't let your words remain unspoken.
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In memory of my mom, I'm offering 25% off for ONE day on all items in my Etsy Shop, Rosemary's Cuppa, named after her. Just enter FIVEYEARS at check out. This deal starts TOMORROW and will run until midnight tomorrow. Also, if you have a second, please go and "like" Rosemary's Cuppa on Facebook.

see ya soon.

Well, folks. It hit me. This afternoon the cold chills and the ache-y body started. I have eaten half a banana today. So, I may not be here for a couple of days. [And Naomi is still sick. And the husband is sort of starting to recover.]

But I did (thankfully) get some new items posted in my shop, before the sickness took over. Purty please go check them out- they have been so therapeutic for me to make over the last couple of days. [And if you can spread the word, it would be totally awesome. And yes, I'm trying to promote my shop. I love you guys, thanks.]

Also, I'm thinking another giveaway is in order, maybe next week when all this sickness has hit the road.
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See ya soon.

impossible.

Audrey is at that age where taking pictures of her end up with awkward smiles or some weird position or movement. Then when you add a four month old in the mix, it is nearly impossible to get a good picture.

Today I dressed the girls in matching shirts and the skirts I made them. [First time for this, I'm not a huge matchy-matchy fan. But I think it's cute when they coordinate.]

I couldn't even get one great picture. But together, they make a pretty funny collage. Not to mention, Audrey insisted on eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich during the photo shoot.

Ah, sisterly love. It is pretty stinkin' cute watching Audrey love on her sister and then Naomi get so tickled about it.

And, it is so so good to have Audrey almost completely back to her normal self. [While I pretend that I am not getting sick. I refuse.]

winner winner {chicken dinner.}

[I couldn't resist.]

Hot-diggity-dog we have a winner to the skirt giveaway I posted about on Monday. And let me tell you, all your sweet comments really did make my week. I had folks telling me they shared it with their friends on facebook and twitter. Multiple times. Now that's true love. Thank you, thank you! I'm really excited about the doors that could open up from this skirt thing. I already have something in mind that I want to do with it, something really good. But more on that later. On to the winner.

Using Random.org I put in the numbers 1 to 40 and it came up with comment #23 as the winner! So congrats to Shanea! She said "I absolutely love the Whale of a Tale skirt!! I will definitely spread the word. Thanks for sharing about your mom...I feel like I get know her more and more."

Again, thank you for participating and encouraging me. And don't forget, if you see a skirt you like, but not in the size you need, I am more than happy to do custom orders.

And now, I leave you with this cutie-patootie.

(Even her tush and thighs are to die for.)

Happy weekend, folks. We are going to be crazy, crazy parents tomorrow taking Audrey to see the Dora and Diego exhibit at the Children's Museum on opening day. [I know. DUMB.] But it is going to be worth it to see her face when she sees the characters there. [Along with the other zillion number of kids that will be there as well.] Do you have any weekend plans?

i walked outside for the first time in four days.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time my time stealing things. Yup, I'm a thief. I would get on Facebook and see my friends post things they are doing with their kids and then I would proceed to do them. My friend, Jade, talked about making homemade pancakes. So what did we do? Make homemade (blueberry) pancakes. Then she talked about a tea party. And what? Yes, we had a tea party. Then my friend Mindy talked about making clean mud. And you guessed it- we made clean mud.

I'm always for sharing ideas, that's one of the many, many reasons I love blogging and just social networking in general.

So, now you may steal the clean mud recipe from me. (Which is really not my recipe at all.)

Another easy, fun, sensory activity for the kiddos. I used one bar of ivory soap, had my little sister grate it, then took about 1/3 roll of toilet paper and had Audrey tear it up. Then mixed the soap and toilet paper with hot water, a little bit at a time till it was a consistency I liked. I think I had a lot more fun playing in it then Audrey, but she did want her pigs to you know, roll in the mud.

So fresh and so clean clean

Also? We left the house for the first time today, since basically Sunday. (Besides driving around on Monday to pick up my sister.) Fresh air is amazing. It also feels good to not be wearing pajamas. What? I've been wearing pajamas for four days straight? Never. Ahem. Audrey sported her skirt that I made. I haven't posted the deer applique one yet on my shop, but do plan to.

And those of you that look really closely at pictures (like I do) will notice my super dirty floor. And a crayon randomly on the floor. Folks, this is the norm in my neck of the woods. Mmmmkay. Now come on over and have some tea, would ya.

GIVEAWAY {a skirt}.

I can't tell you enough how excited I am about these skirts I've been making. Like I get so giddy just looking at the little labels on them that say "Rosemary's Cuppa." Because, for one, I feel like it gives them that finishing professional touch. But also, more importantly, because it has my mom's name on it. I love that. A lot. If she was still here, she would probably be dancing around the room to Bob Marley and thinking that I was her favorite daughter for naming my store after her. [Okay, maybe not that last part, but I can pretend, right?]

Yesterday I posted ten skirts and I'm hoping this week to keep adding more. To celebrate this big accomplishment I thought I should do my first ever giveaway.

So, here's the deal. I'm going to be giving away one skirt of your choice from my shop. Anyone can enter. You don't have to have a daughter- think niece, birthday gift, baby shower, etc. All you have to do is go browse my shop and come back here telling me which is your favorite skirt in the comment section. Or just leave me any ol' comment. Just make sure you leave your name and email address. You do not have to have a blog to enter. Want an extra entry? Tweet about this giveaway and come back here telling me you did. Another entry you say? Facebook about this giveaway and come back here telling me you did. [Yes, I sure am trying to spread the word about my itty bitty shop.] The giveaway will close on Thursday at midnight. I will randomly choose a commenter and post about it on Friday. And heck I will open up this giveaway to U.S. residents AND anyone around the world. [I think it would be totally cool to have someone in say, Australia, wearing a skirt I made. I will just need to figure out shipping.]

Okay, ready. go. Browse. And thank you, thank you, thank you for your support!!

P.S. You might want to check the shop each day, I am hoping to add more skirts!

since last.

Wow. Since the last time I posted, which was really only a couple of days ago. I feel like so much has happened. Remember my goals? Well, I have been hitting them hard. Or at least trying to. Sunday evening I spent two precious hours trying to make an inspiring place for me to create. Andrew and Audrey were gone, so I was trying to be productive. It started with me just wanting to bring out my sewing machine and make it look pretty. And ended in me rearranging our living room and Naomi's closest, then putting everything back the way I started. Which almost resulted in tears from me. [No kidding.] I felt defeated. But, don't worry I got back on the wagon and tried again. [The next day, after I recuperated, of course.] I didn't get anywhere on the created space, but I did manage to still create. And it feels so good. I added a couple of things to my shop. [Side note: My blog friend, Lenae, bought some earrings from me. How sweet is that?!] To keep the creative juices flowing I picked up about 8 books from the library on sewing and making. [I had no idea our library carried so many fantastic creative books. You should try yours out too.]

 I also have been going to a Zumba dance class on Monday nights. Which is good because Andrew and I looked through our honeymoon pictures and I was like Whhhhhaattt. Hello body before two kids. And then I ate a cupcake. Just kidding. I didn't eat a cupcake, but I'm sure I would have if we had one.

On a more personal note, Andrew and I celebrated forgot about our 10 year dating anniversary on Tuesday. [Yes, I still count that as an anniversary date, although Andrew would argue otherwise.]

How about a picture from way back in the day.
Circa 2002. (Year after we started dating.)
Hello skinnies.

Naomi turned 3 months yesterday. She is becoming a little baby now. Chewing on her hands. Grasping toys. Making the cutest little noises. Still sleeping pretty good too. Smiley, happy baby most of the time. I was just telling Andrew that I can't believe it has been 3 months, it feels so right to have her with us, like she has always been a part of our family.

And she is a growin'. (Her hair too.) Check her.

In other news, Audrey is fighting off a cough and a cold. Which I think she secretly is trying to keep as long as possible since I give her a spoon full of honey to help it. [Hey, I'm just taking advice from Mary Poppins. That is what she would do right?] In the meantime, we are still having fun, runny nose and all.

Potato stamping at it's finest.

So what has your week been like?

here it is.

So about two weeks ago I did this little thing about 11pm, on a whim.

I opened an Etsy shop.

 I figured it was about time. I rave and rave about how awesome Etsy is and how much I love to support small artists and handmade and how much I love vintage items. So, I finally joined in on the fun. [And it is fun, let me tell you.]

The funny thing is. I created a post about my shop just after it opened. Then I kept postponing the post and moved it to the next day and next day and next. Until one day I forgot to cancel it and it posted. So some of you may have gotten lucky and read about my little shop when it was up for about two hours. I quickly deleted it once I realized I was sharing with the world my five readers about my store.

I don't know why. [Actually I do. I'm scared of failure and everyone seeing that.] But it's hard for me to share this little store. It's a piece of me and I'm afraid to give that away.

But here it is.

It's called Rosemary's Cuppa, after my mama. And if you wish, check back often, because I plan on adding things weekly.

[Also, I would love any little bit of encouragement here. I'm nervous about this, if you can't tell.]