Makes me happy...

That some princes and princesses somewhere will be crowned king and queen...


Walking to get some yummy yogurt... can you guess which is mine?!!

My first babyCakies 2nd birthday...

She had our family traditional birthday breakfast in bed...

Then she got her little gifts, which were the "true-ly" fun projects that I have been working on, Amy Butler's Little Daisy's Big Nap Pillow...

I bought the pattern to make it for her first birthday, but I didn't think it would be the right time, so I wanted to make it this year. Unfortunately, I could no longer find the pattern, so I had to "wing" it! I think it turned out alright, a few minor mistakes here and there, but it adds to the personality of the pillow. She loved it and likes hiding in the little (well, kinda big!) pocket...

We wanted to take True to the circus for her birthday. So, after a couple weeks of frontloading True about the circus by reading Olivia Saves the Circus (I used to be a teacher), it was finally time to make our way to the circus...

In honor of the circus "strong man," I made a True a little dress perfectly fit for an afternoon under the big top...





It was bit windy out and there were fire ants on the ground, so PapiCakies acted like the strong man instead (well, he is!!!)...

Finally at last... Circus Vargas!


We had a grand ole time watching all the acts, despite the intense heat under the big top...



Then, we came home to a little family celebration awaiting my two year old girl...


This is the fabric banner I made with scraps from the pillow... I loved making it and it will be used for more birthdays to come!


There were many cute and appropriate presents for this special two year old. This one is so cute because it was a collaboration from my sister and her artist friend Andy Ho...
It was a Cakies turned into character illustration, then somehow screened and sewed onto a shirt... so so lovely!


She loved this little tea set from her Grammie and Grumpy and is now learning how to pour tea...
By the end of the evening, she was completely pooped and sleepy, but it was a completely marvelous and blessed day! Our special girl had a special day full of fun, love, and family!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday my little Cakies!!!

Today's crafting with PapiCakies...

Tomorrow it will be completed...

My True...

Is almost 2!

It is her birthday on Saturday and I have been working on some little projects for her... so much fun!

Stay tuned...

And check out Cool Mom Picks that did a wonderful feature on 2 of my absolute favorite things... Bellasymphony and Project Grab Bag! And of course, the PGB little spokesgirl!

Been working...

On some True-ly fun projects...

Happy Friday...

Calls for the winner of the Happy Monday Giveaway!

And the winner is...
The very first person who entered... Missy-O!!!

Thank you so much for those who entered... this was fun!

Happy Friday!

Where does your imagination take you?

True thinks she is a princess...


Or you can be a butcher, a baker, or even candlestick maker... well, why can't all of them wear crowns too?!! Come and explore imaginative play with our Cakies crowns...

Really... everyone wants to be royalty of some kind (Benny and I have crowns too! Really!!!), so visit my shop for another mini-update...

The Simple Bow...

Is now up in my shop... and a few more colors to come!

Shop my Cakies...

Do you rock?!!

True does!

Check out the new little face of RockerBaby...

A hip, little shop (no, it doesn't belong to me) with some rockin' goodies for your funky little one...

Rock on! by shopping RockerBaby...

clutch it

A little pattern request by Leslie not that this a genius idea and plus Leslie is quite a competent seamstress that I am sure she could have done this without me... Have you seen her fabulous white jacket?!!

Materials:
1- 2 fat quarters (but is more than enough fabric) of different fabrics (1 for lining and 1 for outer fabric)
1- Stiff interfacing that matches
Elastic cord
Button

I like to use .25 inch seam allowance.

1. Cut out your interfacing fabric (1 of each piece below, you can see the measurements I use, but anything you like will work). I like to use rounded edges on my clutch!

2. Then place your cut out interfacing on top of the lining fabric, pin, and cut out (2 pieces should result).

3. Next, place interfacing on top of outer fabric, pin, and cut out (2 pieces should result of the outer fabric).

4. Sew right sides together for the outer fabric.

4. For lining... place interfacing, then lining right side face up, the lining fabric wrong side face up, then coordinating piece of interfacing and sew it together.
4. Turn and iron fabric.

5. Place your lining inside your outer fabric.

6. Pin elastic cord centered at the top of the flap (I always forget to do this!).

7. Stitch around the perimeter, but leave an opening so that you can turn it inside out.

8. Turn inside out and iron again.
9. Edge stitch around the edge so that the opening will be closed and iron again (Okay, I don't really iron all that often, but it does help keep it nice and neat!)

10. Sew button onto bottom and "Voila!"

So quick and easy... and great for a night out or as a gift!

Sorry if it doesn't quite make sense, but it really is super easy and quick... and is brainless to figure out! 

So in honor of a Happy Monday I am giving this quick, sweet clutch away... 

Simply, leave a comment on this post and on Friday morning (after a wonderful week of work and plus everyone looks forward to Fridays), I will announce the winner!

Good luck!!!

Hello...

Did you have a good weekend?

Makes me smile...

Every time I pass this street sign it makes me smile.

Sweet Surprises...

So my Benny had some surprises waiting for us girls when we got home...

Another vintage dress for Brave...

A wonderful red dress for True...

And some very soft, vintage-like shirts for me...

I love all these goodies so much and the details in the dresses are absolutely wonderful!

My two little babycakies and I love surprises, but we love my Benny even more!

Presenting...

The new Project Grab Bag spokesperson...

I had the privilege of working with Shannon, the brains and creativity behind Project Grab Bag. The little project True and I were working on a couple weeks ago was a little photo shoot for Shannon, and the result is this absolutely adorable banner which holds Shannon's artist statement... it was so fun to do and even just an honor to be asked!

I cannot speak of her dolls highly enough as we own two of them, which my two little babycakies absolutely love! They are the cutest softies around... I seriously want more (Plus, I need one for me, yes need!).

It is quite amazing what the age of the internet can do, as it connects you to new friends... at the same time, allows me to take a picture, send it instantaneously to Illinois to Shannon, then Shannon sent it to my favorite little graphic designer (Rini) in DC, and then back to Shannon and off to the print shop. Alas, back in Shannon's hands in a new glorious form!

So now take advantage of the capabilities of the internet and visit all the lovely Project Grab Bag creations and do some sweet softie shopping...

Thanks Shannon for such fantastic creations and for being so inspiring!

Shop Project Grab Bag.
*photo courtesy of Shannon Jefferson.

The Saturday Skirt...

Was perfect for a Saturday of galavanting and barbequing all day long.

Swap-tastic...

I was part of a little swap organized by Leslie. And I received my little swap gift today...
I got a cute tote and some lovely bathing suits for the girls! Who knew you can sew bathing suits?!! I was impressed... Thanks Renae!!!


Tomorrow, I am sending out my part of the swap...
A clutch perfect for a Spring night on the town and some lovely vintage linens...

It is always fun receiving packages no matter what they are, so I thought why not get excited to send someone something and get a little treat yourself!

It's here!

The book by one of my favorite bloggers, Amanda Soule of Soulemama is finally here!

It was almost 2 years ago while I was randomly googling for a type of wool stocking that I found her blog. I was in utter awe and amazement at her creativity and I totally related with the things she was writing about. It was through her blog that I was introduced to the blog world and gained a love and appreciation for etsy...

She and her family are so inspiring!

And to continue my wonderful addiction to little girls vintage dresses...

I got a new one to add to Brave and True's collection (Hey! Ben told me if I found some, I could buy it... so I am taking that statement to heart!). He loves vintage clothes just as much as I do!

My Babycakies + My Benny + Vintage Dresses = Bliss (I think Helen understands perfectly)

Now for sale...

Get some pint and quart sized turquoise baskets in my little shop. 

Use them for whatever your creative heart may desire from holding crayons, to gift giving, craft organizing, or whatever you may dream up!

These will be up only while supplies last.

I've been tagged...

So watch out!

I have been tagged by blog friend Oliver Rain to share 6 non-important habits/quirks about yourself. I am not usually very good at these things, but here I go...

1. I cannot drink water first thing in the morning. I don't know why, but I will gag if I do so. I have to wait until lunchtime to drink water.

2. I hate cleaning the shower and bathtubs. I will do everything else, but clean those... so the ones in my house are growing more and more hard water stains.

3. I hate cleaning out the fridge. My Ben gets mad all the time about this and he has time and time again pulled out moldy, old food that I refuse to clean out.

4. I do not and cannot drink coffee. If I do, my heart starts to race very quickly and I get tired... so doing all nighters in college were done without coffee.

5. I like repetition. If I like a CD or song, I will listen to it over and over and over and over again... for months at a time. Ben gets really annoyed because he gets sick of it, but I get annoyed with him because he can't just stick to one station!

6. I am allergic to crayons. Yes! Well, just Crayola crayons... something about the smell gives me headaches and makes me sneeze. It was much worse when I was younger, I was the only one in class with colored pencil. I felt cool...

So now to tag 3 more people to post 6 non-important habits/quirks about yourself ... I think I will get BellaSymphony, SheerWhimsy, MushroomMeadows, so guys... watch out!!!

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules
3. Share 6 non-important habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag 3 other people.

The last one is a 6 Word Philosophy of Life...

"Enjoy God and make Him known."

That is my goal and my family's goal.

The rules for this is the same as above, but now have to tag 6 people... yikes!!!

So I get... Rini&Faith, 2 lil Pumpkins, Babyfingers, Red Yarn, Kennedy & Friends, and Krystin...

Boy! That was a lot of linking...