sorry for the disappearance

I didn't plan to take a mini-blog break, but it just happened as I have been sipping on cold chocolate soy milk and relaxing (kinda). I really need to get some chai tea to make my own chai tea latte! Thanks to those who told me how to make it. I am really bad at these tea/coffee things.

Seriously, another subject, but friends are the best. They give you little treats that just make you smile. My friend Jane gave me the cute mug/cup things from my favorite store. Really, you can't go wrong there. I love them and it could be for Rubyellen Bratcher or Ruby and Ben... either way works for me.

I had a grand weekend. I hope you did too. My best friend and I met up with some of the gals I used to live with in London. Reminiscing is always fun! Then, the surprise party I have been planning with my middle seester for weeks now, finally came to fruition. It was for her "best friend" and he was quite surprised. Our family and his family (plus friends) was there, we should have just made it an engagement party, it would save us the trouble later! It was a fun party, will show more pictures soon.

Well, off to do some Monday morning cleaning before the girls wake and darn me because I forgot my point-and-shoot camera at my mom's, so I am completely camera less for now. My shop opening will have to wait...

Happy Monday!

wintry morning

It was so cold out, there was even ice in the front yard, which is rare here in southern California. I am wearing extra layers and our mornings are a bit frosty and gray.

I love the feeling of winter...We will continue with the baking, crafting, and savoring of the reason for this season.

Oh and if you missed out on a Lela doll, but want one, visit Grosgrain and enter to win a fabulous frock and Lela doll together... good luck!!!

Have a wonderful wintry weekend wherever you are...

relaxed and ready

All the orders are out, the shop is closed and I am relaxed and ready to dive into some Christmas crafting and baking with my girls. Thank you to all who has helped push Cakies forward (via blog or shop) this year. I have made so many crowns and clips that it is crazy to think they were all made by hand, by myself (with my mom occasionally helping hand stitch the leaves), but each one made with lots of love and excitement (thank God for the strength). The shop will be closed January and possibly February, just to be able to take some time off, but I hope to be back with lots of new things... the sketchbook is oh so full.

The flurry of Christmas crafting has begun as we, True and I, made these softie Christmas trees (thanks to the courtesy of Stephanie Barnes). I sewed and she stuffed. Hence a bit of lopsidedness, but really, we wouldn't have it any other way...

The special tree among the bunch is on its way to a special home for the ornament exchange. I hope the receiver loves it as much as True had fun stuffing it with love.

There is also a little forest of vintage petite sisal trees sitting atop our fireplace mantel. The trees are cute and super tiny...

So tiny that they fit nicely in the palm of a super tiny girl...

Lots of excitement going on as Christmas draws near...

out and about

This weekend came and went so quickly and we were everywhere... 

On Saturday afternoon, we went to Knott's Berry Farm because it was sort of free to get in, as you just had to bring a brand new packaged toy worth at least $10, so we brought 2 and in we went with the girls (This special is on next weekend too if anyone is interested). 

This was the girls first time in an amusement park and Ben's first time at Knott's. We rode 2 rides together, but mostly just walked around. We came to the conclusion that while we had fun, Knott's definitely lacks the "magic" that Disneyland has. Though, we will have to wait to go to Disneyland because it is just too darn expensive to get in.

On Sunday, after an already full day at church, we went to Unique in Los Angeles. It was like going on etsy, but in real life, and they had some other funky non-etsy designers. Karen (Misha Lulu) was there and it is always a treat to see her, her funkiness, and her family.

The only problem here was that the girls were already so tired and napless that they were cranky. The only thing that pacified them was Brave pushing the stroller and True wanting to walk around with one shoe...

There was a bag there (some clarification for those who might need it: it was much, much cheaper at the show than stated on the website) that I wanted from Rebe, but with the girls cranky (fighting and crying), it was really hard to do any shopping. I guess the bag could go on my Christmas wish list. Ben keeps asking what I want, so here is a little help for him, but I still really want a polaroid camera and lots of film (that may be #1)...

Starting with top left: vintage royal typewriter, acorn necklace, vintage locket, house slippers

Other than that, those things aren't needs, just likes and wants, so I think we are going to be a bit more practical with our gift giving, so who knows what I am gonna get or get him for that matter. I think I am done with others, though I do have a few things to make (and bake)... oh i can't wait for some Christmas baking.

Eek! Christmas is almost here... time goes so fast. 

What's on your Christmas wish list? 

take a peek

The lovely ladies of Sugar City Journal asked me to be part of their new home sweet home tours. I am so honored because Lynne and Melissa are two of the most creative ladies I know! Have you seen their creations (and their homes)?!! Each piece they make is a work of art and are simply beautiful and timeless. They have inspired me to create garments with a little more meaning in mind, a dress with its own story. So the fact they would ask me for peeks into my home means so much! Our house is far from done, but it is our home and a reflection of us... so go ahead and take a peek.

Thank you so much Melissa and Lynne!!!

Oh and come and join Nathalie's ornament swap... I'm in.

i love to take pictures

My Babe-ilsicous and both my babyCakies are my favorite subjects, but fruit works just as well (just not as gorgeous as them)...

Taking pictures is a lot of fun (so is eating fruit).

the family sketchbook

We have this sketchbook sitting on the coffee table of our family room. It is ready for when anyone feels ready to do a little drawing, coloring, doodling, scribbling. Though, it's more like scribbling for the babes and doodling for me...

It is wonderful seeing little hands at work, especially in a creative way.

Oh and not sure if anyone noticed that I added some once in awhile mushrooms in the shop... just in case you were interested.

growing girls and lots of sewing

Things have been insane at our house lately, good, but crazy! The girls can make such messes in a matter of 30 seconds. They are a bit like the Tasmanian Devil, they whirl through and everything is everywhere! So I am always cleaning, but the girls are having fun and really starting to interact together. I love it!

Now, I think this is my fifth bag like this (I promise to have once in awhile bag update in 2 weeks) and someone requested an orange and green combo, so it was perfect cause I happened to have this vintage tablecloth, well now turned bag...


And with all the crazy sewing that has been going on, I have broken 4 needles this week. Good thing I have been wearing my glasses lately, cause they have become my eye protectors. You never know when one decides to break and tries to gouge me in the eye! Yes, protection is necessary...
I also keep forgetting to mention that if you are Twilight fan and I am kinda crazy for them (I read the whole series in a weeks time and have already reread 3 of the four books and not to mention I am now reading Wuthering Heights), there is a Twilight blog party over at Bethany's and Nathalie's this coming week to commemorate the movie (yay!). I so wish Nat, Beth and I lived close to each other, it would have been fun to go watch it together as they are the ones who introduced me, but this party will have to do. Check Bethany's blog for details. It's going to be fun!

Oh and tomorrow is the Misha Lulu trunk show, so come if you are able and get some Christmas shopping done. It will be from 2-6 at 100 N. Glendora in the city of Glendora and there will plenty of goodies there! See flier here.

I just reread my writing and I am jump from subject to subject. Well, that seems to be my mind right now... lots to do, but so little time. I think this is going to be the theme for the next few months. 

Now, off to work before the both babyCakies wake up! I have to make 1) a bag 2) nursing cover 3) 30 something hair clips to finish, so it is back to lots of sewing (and hopefully no more broken needles).

See you on Monday!

artful scribbles

It is absolutely a delight to see my little ones color and create to their heart's content. The little hands moving around and around, lines going this way and that, the vision of a child cannot be recreated...

Their (and all children's) art are truly unique. Innocent. One of a kind.

I wish I had the talent and vision of a child.

the task of the day

To play dress up.

True put on random things on her head, a bib, a belt and her lovely tutu. What did she want  to put on Brave?!! A bib and tutu. I think Brave kinda looked like a cute, little spider walking around...


Then, True had to overload the baby seester even more...
It is so adorable because they are getting to the stage where they play together. It is so special to see. They whirled, twirled, danced and made a ginormous mess together... and who cleans it all up?!! Mommy...

Guess, it is just part of the job description... but I get paid with kisses.

taking up real estate

We needed to do something fun, so we decided to make a house...
Plus, it was perfect because of I love this quilt piece I got at the flea market awhile back and I think the colors are perfect for house building. True was pretty darn excited about this and Brave well, she kept trying to huff and puff and blow the house down! As we persevered her attempts to knock down the house, we finally got her to understand that you go underneath the blankets, not on top of it!

I haven't had much time to sew this week, as I am busy working on orders and haven't been feeling the greatest. I hope to finish a couple new designs to put in the shop, as well as make something special for both my little babyCakies... gosh, there never seems to be enough time in a day!

And as far as my little growth chart, the possibilities of different ways to make it are endless and this particular one matches with my style really well, so I love it! Now, the winner of my extra growth chart is Rachel!!! ***Rachel, I can't get into your blog or email you, so if you please email me at mycakies@gmail.com with your address, I would be glad to send it to you as soon as possible.

I hope I can gets loads of work done today, but one thing is for sure... we will keep having fun playing house.

See you on Monday!!!

snippets of my atelier

***Sad news for Dave Matthews Band (and their fans) because LeRoi Moore, DMB's saxophonist, passed away this past Tuesday.

For our moms...

A little something special to remember just how little their grandaughters are and how much we all love them very much...

One pillow has already made its way to Texas...

My first official embroidery project was fun and turned out well (though I had little mistakes here and there), but I look forward to doing more (This is the little project we were working on this week)!

Something for Brave...

Today, True and I decided we needed to make Brave more dollies because she just has Hildy, which she absolutely loves, but we want her to have a crib filled with them!

We cut out our fabric...

As I sewed, True helped turn them inside out...

Using the best sewing tool ever... a chopstick!

Finally, a special bunny just for Brave (I tried to teach True how to sew the eye with a blunt needle, but she has no patience yet)...

Now, if you really want some really funky, but sweet looking dollies, check out our favorite dolly maker...

Shop Project Grab Bag...

Have a happy weekend!

What a mess!

We love color...

Goodies galore...

I love getting goodies in the mail!

Something for me from MushroomMeadows...

I must say that these things are absolutely perfect and I started using them with my Cakies. I hope I win the next contest!!!

Something for the girls from Ruby and Elkë...I love these cute little shoes. They look like the belong in a garden.

Along with the lovely shoes, some more treats from Luna Lou...
We love goodies...

Thank you so much everyone... you made our day!

Necessities for a jubilant work day...

A Valentine's Day cupcake and a cup of soy chocolate milk.

Happy weekend everyone!!!

Cakies loves you...

Beauty and Inspiration...

Can be found in things that are fading away.