ROAR!!

I'm one of the lucky person that at the beginning of the school year was able to find a job in the school system as a cafeteria monitor. 

I love my job as it allows me to interact with children between ages of 5 to 10 and it's only 3 hours per day, so I don't get burned out from it: I like that I have plenty time to recharge for the next day. 

One of my duty (among a billion of other) is to make sure that the kids have all they need to have a comfortable time during lunch, like silver wares, napkins, straws and such. 

That means a lot of walking back and forth between the containers at the end of the room and the various tables and reminding who asked me what. 

It's not very easy, so I decided to cut the chase and wear an apron where I could accommodate all the goodies is various pockets and give a quick and accurate service to each child in the room. 

And what better way to do this if not with an handmade apron made by Alicia from Sewn From The Heart? 

I already had her cupcake apron she made for me a while back, but since the mascot of the school is a tiger, I asked her to handcraft 2 more aprons for me and my coworker to honor the mascot. 

And she beautifully delivered! 

 

The kids were thrilled to see the new aprons at lunch time!!! 

 I love working with Alicia, she always understand exactly what I want and her products always exceed my expectations. 

Must be reciprocal as she also wrote some lovely words about my creations on her blog: go check it out!

Michelle Kindergarten recital

2 days ago, my little Michelle had her very first school recital, she was a cute little flower.
When the teacher sent the note home for the costume, I immediately went to dig up my very first ballet tutu that I even wore. I thought, it's pink and it will be perfect! And here it is!

Oh yes, ladies and gentlemen. You're looking at a vintage piece as I was 8 when I got to rock this baby.
My daughter is 5 so I was a little bit shocked that I didn't have to retouch it in any way, not even the shoulder straps! Then I remember that this tutu was already resuscitated once, when my little sister was 5.....but I'm digressing.

My daughter loved the costume and even more so after I told that it was mine and I was proud of her having it now (it's not that I can really wear it anymore you know!).
Still, beside to the emotional attachment, I wasn't really satisfied as it didn't look "flower" enough.

That's when mama go shopping for pretty fabric and gets out the sewing machine!!! Of course, Michelle had to like everything too, so off we went and after some running around, some noisy sewing and a lot of trying on, we got the "flower look" I was aiming for.

A petal finish over skirt with sequin fabric and hand sewn flowers on her neckline and the front of the skirt and she looked just darling for her recital

Maybe I should have added sleeves.....what do you think???

Kitchen curtains!!

Finally here! I worked on my kitchen a little every day during spring break and finally I have it all decorated!

The curtains are made in 3 panels with a valance made out of cupcake fabric matching the pillow covers I got from Sewnfromtheheart a while back and the entire window is covered in black light and sheer knit fabric

Why black, you ask? Well, let's just say that since I don't have a private fence on the back of my house, I caught the neighbor kid picking through the kitchen windows, specially when my kids are doing homework which is appalling and distracting.

The sheer knit material allow us to still see outside, but keep the unwanted lookers out of sight.....(see what I did here??)

We still get plenty of light in the kitchen, plus they offer a wonderful shade in the hot summers. And If I need more light, I made little pulls for them in matching cupcake fabric.

On the other side of the windows I have the back door and I thought this wonderful needle point made especially for me from My1SweetAngel was perfect to decorate it, don't you think?

Now all that was left was to decorate the table, but I didn't have enough material to make a table cloth :/
So, I got thinking and I said to myself: why don't leave the table naked and just decorated it with a table runner?? I think it looks very modern and family was happy about the change.

Still, I have few little fabric scraps and I wonder: what to do, what to do? Experimenting of course! (Up for grabs by the way!)

Featuring karnivalofkrafts

How long it's been since I posted a random feature? Or a giveaway? OMGosh, too long I'd say.
So let me fix that today and introduce you to Kim and her wonderful creations at karnivalofkrafts on etsy.....tada!!

Macrame Bookmark with Butterfly Charm, $2.75 by karnivalofkrafts

I love her many skills that bleed through the many things available in her shop like baby items, spa and kitchen crocheted goodies and paper goods just no name a few.

And I'm sure you can find something to love and use in her Clearance or the Destash sections.

Crochet Fingerless Gloves in Coffee Brown, $23 by karnivalofkrafts

Now, few words from the artist:

"Hi and Welcome!

My name is Kim.

All my life, I have enjoyed making beautiful things in a variety of crafts. I sew, knit, macrame, scrapbook, and my passion is crochet. Lately, I have discovered a passion for creating paper crafts like tags and cards. With such a variety of creating, I think you can see how my shop got its name.

Please feel free to stay and browse a while and I hope you will find something you just can't live without!"


Crocheted Round Coasters in Purple and White, $7 by karnivalofkrafts

I know what you all are thinking, You want to know more about karnivalofkrafts and I showed you enough to leave you drooling on your keyboards while staring at the monitors.

Not to worry, stay tuned for an amazing giveaway from by karnivalofkrafts

A shop I love: bitspeaces

RONALD MCDONALD RAG QUILT 40X48 FUN N FUNKY, $25 by bitspeaces

bitspeaces is a Rag Quilter that is also experimenting with traditional quilting and love to mix both styles.
I know her through the Fire stalkers guild and I recently featured one of her creations in my Pink ribbon Artire Collection

Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness blanket Hot pink 43x43,$15 by bitspeaces

Browsing her shop I also fell in love with her wire photo holders

Man on the moon wire photo holder & more 10 with 10 stem, $20 by bitspeaces

And since Halloween is so close, this will definitely help complete some outfits

Golden Crown for the princess or prince in you Halloween Dress up, $6 by bitspeaces

Visit bitspeaces, she really has something for everybody in you gift list :)

Featuring Truly Bella

Tonight I'm here to illustrate my readers one of my etsy findings!
For Mother's day I received the sweetest gift from my very best friend Michele at sweetirie!
I was very touched by her gesture since every one seemed to have forget I'm a mom around here :(
And I was pleased and amazed by her choice, so I'm sharing with all of you my gift and where you can find it!
I found a cute little package to my door steps on a Saturday afternoon and when I opened it I found a very sweet pink package that smelled awesome!!! After removing the wrapping I finally saw it: A BEAUTIFUL CANDLE!!!! Like this one:

Except that mine had a fine rose smell......AMAZING!
All those candles are scented with natural essential oils and nothing else-no lab created scents. The maker use 100% soy wax for candles purchased from a small scale farm in the midwest and all of my glass candle jars are made in the USA.
After a little research I found the shop were this beauty come from and I finally got in touch with Lynsey, the owner of Truly Bella and I was pleasantly surprise of what I saw: not just Candles, but also Sachets, Coasters, Burp Cloths, Washies, Baby Gift Sets, Blankets

Set of Two Lavender and Mint Sachets, Farmer's Market, $6.50

Let's know Lynsey more closely:

"I'm 27, a native San Diegan, who recently quit her job as a counselor to pursue designing baby items full-time. My husband's in the US Navy and sewing keeps me sane while he is gone."

Cotton Chenille Burp Cloth Trio and Security Blanket, Pink, $32.50

"I use only top quality materials and am happy to offer any of my blankets, washies or burp cloths backed in organic bamboo fleece.
My goal is for everything to be simply beautiful, from the fabric to the shipping, packaging and everything in between. All items are gift wrapped in cheery tissue paper and coordinating ribbon."

Large Cotton Chenille Blanket, Poppies, $29.50

Truly Bella has a great promotion right now and is offering a FREE MATCHING BAMBOO WASHIE with every purchase and FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS OVER $50.00!!!

Stack of Five Washies, Pink and Cream, $15.50

So, don't waste any more time and pay Lynsey a visit to her Truly Bella shop!!!