Blue Skies

We had the pleasure of modeling this beautiful tutu set by Evee - ebay id: chic*lil*lovebugs*boutique. I love the soft colors and the way they offset Brooke's dark hair and eyes.

I don't think I gave this picture to Evee because I'm not so happy about how the chair is not perfectly horizontal. What I do like, and why I'm showing it off, is how her two little baby feet are included in the whole picture. There are still a lot of things I need to work on in my photography, but I am pleased with how this series of pictures came out.

Speaking of Telenovelas

Here is the music video to the one I'm watching right now - Pasion. I was surprised to see that it is sung by Sarah Brightman with Fernando Lima - two of the most beautiful voices in the world...

PASION Sarah Brightman y Fernando Lima

Triple Play

I've been tagged...by 3 different people all at once!

Here are my taggers:

Amy - http://funkymonkeyb.blogspot.com/
Lesa - http://isabelinspireddesigns.blogspot.com/
Holly - http://peytonsplaceboutique.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven random things about me:

1. I love Mexican telenovelas.
2. I can read, write and speak Spanish if forced to.
3. I have a head vase collection.
4. I'm a pretty good cook. At least, I like to think I am.
5. Friends used to call me Snow White - until I had kids!
6. My sign is Gemini - I have a good side and a bad side. Friends and family never know which side they are going to get. The bad side is pretty bad. I'm not proud of it.
7. I wear contact lenses.

Oh man, now I have to find 7 people to tag...
Vanessa
http://vanessaandcompany.blogspot.com/
because I love you
Jen
http://fabricbliss.blogspot.com/
because I love your fabric and your mailing list emails
Beth
http://jusshardesigns.blogspot.com/
because I love your crocheted baby stuff!
Eileen
http://whimsyportraits.blogspot.com/
because I love your photography and your baby is Brooke's age!
Mari
http://marihodge.blogspot.com/
because you haven't been tagged in a while and I love you too
Kathy
http://www.bedknobsnbroomsticks.blogspot.com/
because I found you on the Faeryhill Guest Launch blog thread :-)
Twinkle
http://www.twinklepics.blogspot.com/
because I've recently come across your blog and LOVED it

ay yay yay!
May I never be tagged again!

Road Trip

This Thursday we took a little Road Trip to San Diego. We are still here in SD - Mission Beach partying it up with the Sprink Break die hards.

I just had to jot down a quick couple of notes before I get back to nursing the keg with Nana and Brooke...

On the way to San Diego, we had some kid car tunes going. One of the girls' favorites is a song about the 50 states. Celeste was happily belting it out until she got to Mississippi. Then she stopped thoughtfully:

"Mama, do they make sippy cups in Mrs.Sippy?"

***

The next day, Friday, we went to Sea World. In the Aquarium, the girls got to see the small sea life such as jelly fish, sea stars, anemones, etc. Bruce took them to the window where the squidlike creatures were. He told them they were called "cuttlefish". To which their response was:

"They don't look very cuddly to me."

The Bathroom (again)

We keep Brooke's crib in our bedroom. It's nice, because I can hear her breathing at night. Even after having successfully kept 2 other children alive so far, I still worry.

Still, it's pretty inconvenient for obvious and not so obvious reasons. The one I'm talking about right now is using my en suite bathroom. Doesn't that sound nice? "En suite". It's really a tiny closet of a bathroom that is attached to my bedroom. I like it because it has a commode, a sink and a shower. It's small, but everything works and that's all right with me.

What I do in the morning is: 1. roll out of bed - 2. make lunch, dress the girls and drive them to school - 3. come home, make coffee, feed Brooke, drink coffee, skip breakfast - 4. Put Brooke down for a nap.

Notice I skipped the shower. The best time to take a shower is during Brooke's nap. But I can't take one while she is napping because I'll wake her up. Her crib is right next to my en suite water closet.

Therefore, I take my shower in the Rubber Ducky Bathroom. That's Celeste and Emme's bathroom. It's bigger, but it's not my bath, so I haven't taken over it. I take my shower, clean up and leave. It's as if no one was ever there.

Until...
Yesterday, I was getting the girls ready for a bath. I started the water running while they got undressed. When Emme stepped into the bath, her eyes and mouth opened wide. She gasped.



"Mommy!" She exclaimed. "Somebody came into our house while we were gone and took a bath in our tub! The rubber duckies are moved and LOOK! The grownup shampoo bottle is empty!"

Never once did she think it could have been me.

Vanessa & Company

My creative, talented sister Vanessa has come up with some stunning kids' clothes lately. Some of us know that she has been successful selling aprons, pillows and other home-deccy treasures. Lately, however, she has a added this new category to her repertoire of artistic fabric creations.

Brooke, Emme and Celeste have been recipients of her gifts and love Aunt Vanessa's clothes. Her sturdy little dresses, skirts, shirts and jackets have been through the wash many times after surviving the school sandbox. They still look great and ready for my girls' numerous adventures.

Here are some delicious samples of what she has to offer:

Euro Pop



Alice In Wonderland





Bunny's Last Stand




They are all in a size 4/5 and are ready to ship.
Go take a look!

Sunshine and Hello Kitty

I made three sets last week. I have had them listed since the 27th. I ended up calling the mermaid set "Atomica: Queen of the Pacific". I thought that was a pretty cool name. Celeste and Emme would totally approve. Funny I have not yet run it by them.

My Hello Kitty set was the first in this particular series. It was my first try at the Euro pattern Cara. The Cara pattern can be a little tricky at first. Especially if you're a cocky seamstress who thinks she knows it all as I am. I tried to skip through some steps without reading the directions carefully and had to back up a couple of times. It came out beautiful. It must have, because Mari took some awesome closeups. To me, that means she liked it. You can find this auction here.




This picture makes me happy. Mari took this closeup for the bows, but I love it so much that I have it in my listing. This beautiful child could sell a potato sack to the most discriminating customer. Loreen of LoreenJane made the perfect bows to match my fabric swatches quick as a wink - She was a joy to collaborate with. You can find her auction here.

Finally, my last dress - my all time favorite design - mine. It's a "Monica" as my friend Dominique would say. I really didn't think this would get any bids, but I made it because I liked the fabric and thought it deserved the royal treatment. Luckily, it even has some watchers too. That tells me I should always go against my grain and not be so conservative anymore. They like it! They really really like it! Believe me, I have thrown some bombs up there that have had nary a watcher, so I am thrilled right now.

Here it is:



Yes, that's my delicate little princess at 7:30 in the morning, freezing her petunias while I, in my ski cap and parka shoot away. She's such a good sport. Well, she did complain once, teeth chattering - "Mommy, can you make something with sleeves next time?"
"Just smile and pose!" I bark.

You've already seen my mermaid set "Atomica: Queen of the Pacific" (nice ring to it, I think). So the last visual treat I have for my blogging friends is this:



This delightful necklace is by Cecelia of Mon Ami Jewelry. She custom matched it to my "You are my Sunshine" dress. You can check out all of her listings including an amazing --I wish I could buy it but everyone would think I was shilling-- necklace called "Precious". OMG I really really like it. Here are Cecelia's listings.

Not sewing this weekend. Off to other creative pursuits such as cooking. I'm having a small playdate at my house with a couple of Celeste's friends and their families. Hopefully Vanessa and Fam will come too. I'm looking forward to it and going all out cooking a feast of bbq ribs and fried chicken with all the fixin's. Can't wait!