Chirpings of Little Bird

Football Style Bleachy Tee!

2012-01-30T08:17:00.001-05:00

I've been up to it again. Yes, I have. I'm sure it's an addiction of sorts, but it's so dang easy and results are so instant gratification!

Bleachy Tee's! Football style:

{original post and tutorial can be found HERE}

It seriously works so great for my 8 year old boy. Once he passed 5&6, well, applique just wasn't "cool" any longer. This though? He LOVES them.

{photo courtesy of my fabulous FIL}

I'm sure more of these will be happening in the coming months as my son sky rockets out of every shirt that currently fits him! ;)

Vintage Words

2012-01-25T13:03:00.000-05:00

A while back on twitter I asked other adoptive mamas what ONE word would they use to describe their adoption journey. There were several {amazing} words. I loved them all. I decided to turn some of those words into pendants.

These are just a few,but still so powerful. Whether in one's adoption journey or just life itself. Whatever your year holds and plans and dreams.

I believe there is HOPE:

I do BELIEVE in strength and truth and promises:

I TRUST:

There is so much GRATITUDE. To the people, families, and those that have taken that leap of faith:

It is a JOURNEY. It may not be an easy one, but it's not about the end result {although wonderful}, it's about the journey. How will it go?

{These can all be found in the SHOP}

There are truly so many more words that could describe it all. These are just a few. What word would you choose to describe your journey, your life goals?

InstaFriday

2012-01-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

It's been a fun week. And an exhausting week...let's recap shall we?!

Last Friday I decided to gather some vintage spools that I inherited from my grandmothers for a little project:

I happened upon some fabulous decorative pillows on SALE! at JoAnns. Love them:

Sunshine learned how to use chopsticks!

Some Sunshine snuggle time was had. Love those moments.

Finished mentioned spool project. Oh my heart how I love it.

Sunshine got to taste her first girl scout cookie! She seems to like the Peanut Butter kind the best. So far...

And there you have it. A little snippit of my week!

I'm linking up over here!

Inspiration Workshop: Bedrooms

2012-01-19T14:02:00.001-05:00

Ahhh. A bedroom retreat. Our current master bedroom feels anything but of late {ya know, because we now have a four year old and she keeps me busy!}

It's not always been such though. Typically our master bedroom has always been one of my favorite rooms and never the last to be decorated...until we had kiddos and then it became the last room to get taken care of. Whatevs...just tell me I'm not the only one to NOT make up my bed everyday? Most days, yes. Just not ALL days! ;)

Anyhoo....I have my mind set to take on and re-do our master bedroom this year! Yes, this year...it will take me that long.

Here are some ideas I'm thinking of....

Source: bhg.com via Jaime on Pinterest

I pretty much love everything about this room. And the color is close to what we already have. I love the paint color currently and don't plan on changing it. This could totally work!

Source: sueswink.tumblr.com via Jaime on Pinterest

I wouldn't mind some artwork like this to hang up in the room also. Just happy.

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Gotta admit...LOVE this room!

Source: touchofeurope.net via Jaime on Pinterest

Adding some of these might be nice too.

Source: abitofbeesknees.blogspot.com via Jaime on Pinterest

And these as lighting would be pretty fabulous!

Ah, yes. It will happen...it will. Our master bedroom will once again be one of my favorite rooms!

Vintage Spools of Goodness

2012-01-17T09:04:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend I made a little something.

Okay, more than a little something...to me? It's a big something.

If you follow me on instagram, you got a little sneak peek of my vintage spools of thread:

They are vintage spools passed down to me from both of my grandmothers. One I knew very well and the other I never got a chance to know very well at all. But both were extremely important to me.

I've had the spools sitting is some containers in my sewing/craft studio for some time. I happened to be going through some old craft magazines when I happened upon a picture I had noted that I thought was awesome. I then KNEW what I was going to do with all that lovely vintage goodness!

I grabbed the spools, some scrap wood (that my son's taekwondo school generously let me have) and a glue gun.....

and VOILA!

I now have a fabulous handmade treasure full of thready goodness. :)

I took all the materials and just eye-balled it. Honestly, the trick for me was to NOT over think it. I tend to do that...ehem....

I love it. And I have to be honest, I'm pretty sure there are some tears mixed in with that thready goodness. I miss my Gramms. And I miss that I didn't get a chance to know my dad's mom. I'm sure I would have loved her. Meanwhile...I'm thankful I have memories and sewing treasures to remember them by.

Pinterest Tuesday!

2012-01-03T15:07:00.000-05:00

I bought chalkboard paint.

I did!

I have a plan for it too...

I've been searching through some inspiration on Pinterest....

Source: ohsohappytogether.blogspot.com via Patti K. on Pinterest

Source: ohdeedoh.com via Hollee on Pinterest

Source: littlebluedeer.com via Scoots Lovely on Pinterest

Source: myidealhome.tumblr.com via EyeCandy on Pinterest

Source: designsponge.com via Ellie on Pinterest

Source: 6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I'm pretty sure this is gonna be great! My project that is. ;) I'll do a little Pinterest show&tell next week!

From EMBRACE to NURTURE

2011-12-31T13:23:00.000-05:00

2012

2012....a year that is just to begin.

2011 changed my life. It changed it in ways I never knew it could. It knocked me down to my knees on more than one occasion.

First with the unexpected death of my Gramms. I was there, I watched multiple rounds of CPR performed and then them calling the "time of death"....I thought I'd never stop crying.

My eyes hurt for days. I felt gutted.

That pain? It was only a glimpse of what 2011 was to bring.

May came and another major blow. We lost Songbird.

I was brought to me knees harder than ever before. I felt lost, uncertain.

And yet, my word that had chosen me was E M B R A C E

To embrace it ALL. The good, bad, ups and downs.

Wow. I never had a clue how 2011 would so drastically change the course of our lives.

***********************

Then, we met Sunshine.

November, we became Sunshine's forever family. November 10th to be exact.

E M B R A C E

All of it. And I did.

2011 is coming to a close and on such a more positive note than it began. The crazy, uncertain and exhausting adoption journey that we've been on, finally slowing down. The waiting chapter closed and the journey of forever family begun.

New beginnings

***********************

N U R T U R E

I want to take this time...this time that is seemingly slower paced. Even if in reality, it's not slowed down much at all. There is a lull, moments of still that I want to immerse myself in. Capture it, soak it up, find the joy...

I want to nurture this time. Enjoy this time with our new little family of four and take it all in and hold on to it a moment.

To see it for what it is, to nurture our spirits, our love, our gratitude.

To watch and nurture this new little person in our lives. To nurture my marriage and my family.

I want to see the hope, believe in this year, see this year. Enjoy it ALL.

So, n u r t u r e

I will take the time and N U R T U R E it. It is my word for 2012.

What will your word be?

Pinterest Tuesday!

2011-12-15T15:18:00.000-05:00

....er....I mean Thursday!

Yeah. It's been one of those kinda weeks....

I just had to share this though. Not only did God call us to adoption, He also has given our son a big squishy heart for orphans.

All on his own. It's just him. I love it.

We were going over what we were going to give/make for teacher gifts. We were also checking out a site you might have heard of called Reece's Rainbow.

Gah. My heart.

There was a boy that we learned about a while back. We knew we were not his family, but we knew we were to pray for this boy and his forever family.

We did and while we were in Russia, Jake and I decided to look up the site and see how this boy was doing. We were crazy happy thrilled when we saw that a family has come forward to adopt him and he was on the "my family found me page!".

So happy. We pray it continues to go well and he gets to be with his family soon.

Meanwhile...we spotted the Angel Tree page and checked it out. Then we saw something about Angel Tree dollars.

Oh yes. My boy was all.over.it.

And just to give a little story here: my son actually cried big, sincere tears over these children. Wept. In the hotel room as we looked at the dozens of pictures of these orphans. He said, "mom! we HAVE to do something!!! Can we just adopt ONE MORE?! Please?! They NEED us!".

Oh how my heart ached. We know we most likely will adopt again, but we need to settle with Sunshine first. In time...His time.

Meanwhile. I told him, "we cannot adopt them all baby. BUT, we can do something. We can pray for them. We can pray for their forever families to step up and take that leap of faith".

We chatted a bit more about how some are called to adopt and some are called to help. We talked about the Angel Tree and what it can do for these kiddos. He asked if that is what he could get for part of his teacher's gifts.

So we did. And made some peppermint bark I pinned of Pinterest.

Source: onceuponaplate1.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Mine aren't nearly as pretty as these lovelies, but I couldn't find that snowflake mold to save my life! So, I did the basic old break-it-apart way. No matter...still tastes yum!

I packaged them up late last night and early this morning and got them ready for him to take to school. Then he thanked me for being such an awesome mom and doing all that.

I thanked him for being willing to do something for others.

Pinterest Tuesday

2011-12-06T08:42:00.000-05:00

I love Pinterest. Do you love Pinterest?

Holy WOW is it ever addicting! But, I've found some really fun holiday inspiration that I decided to try my hand at.

I'm attempting to keep the holidays simple this year. Being home with Sunshine now (who's a full ball of energy!) and her not really having a clue what all this having a TREE in the HOUSE (she's getting used to it...) and twinkle lights and such is all about....well, simple is best. :)

And, since my son is also adjusting, some of these projects are great for he and I to do while Sunshine naps. Total win/win!

A while back I pinned this pretty picture:

Source: kerliandanimals.blogspot.com via Jaime on Pinterest

AND this pretty picture:

Source: thecol0rsofmyrainb0w.tumblr.com via Jaime on Pinterest

I love, love, LOVE twinkle lights. We happened to have two extra boxes, so I grabbed them and strung them up behind our sheer curtains in the dining room. Here is my version:

Then, while Sunshine napped, the Jakester and I cut out a bunch of snowflakes. See?

I decided to string them up with the twinkle lights. I used a seriously high-tech method involving a little tape and invisible thread. Then I took some paper clips and used those to hook over the curtain rod to hang the snowflakes from. You could probably use ornament hooks too. Easy peasy and simple. I like simple.

And VOILA!

My pinterest inspiration completed!

I'm thinking each week this month I'm going to try doing/making something from all my pins. Wanna join me?! ;)

Thanksgiving Adoption and Orphan Care Fundraiser

2011-11-24T01:51:00.006-05:00

::UPDATE:: I've decided ALL donations are going to Orphans At Play. Seeing the kiddos left behind...it's heartbreaking. The Grandma Mentoring Program is so, so needed::

So, I've mentioned it before...but! It's finally here! A fundraiser for orphan care! And just in time for a little holiday shopping!

I started this to help out with our unexpected third trip with our adoption. You can read more about that HERE.

It was difficult, yet, we've been able to move forward and complete the adoption of a precious child who desperately needed a home. You can meet Sunshine over HERE.

Meanwhile, I began to get a fundraiser together. As I was doing so, something just kept delaying it.

I think I know why.

I want this to be so much more than just about our adoption. And, through this last trip we've taken, I met some fabulous mamas and learned about an organization that helps orphans. It's called Orphans At Play.

Amazing.

They have something called the Grandma Mentoring Program.

Here is a little more about this great organization and the program:

Children thrive with simple contact in promoting emotional growth and physical development by giving a baby home a grandma. The few orphanage employees cannot keep up with the growing number of children in these homes. This is where Orphans at Play have partnered with the vladmission.org in the Primorsky Krai region to provide the Grandma Mentoring Program giving children a chance to “play”.

In early 2011, several adoptive parents came together and shared their experiences of adopting children from the Vladivostok region in Russia. Although their children were born in a variety of cities and lived in many different orphanages, there is one common theme among their conversations: the children had limited stimulation before coming into their families. Many children without early attachment and bonding may experience reactive attachment disorder, sensory integration concerns and hyperactivity just to name a few. Through research Orphans at Play has the opportunity to bring the latest in current development and create solutions to support the children in the baby hospitals, orphanages and those in transition to their new families.

Orphans at Play is celebrating the holiday season by giving the Gift of a Grandma. Please join us in helping fundraise during this special time of the year to help children in need.

Our goal is to raise $5000 dollars this year so we can place four grandmas in 2012. We need your help through donations and holiday shopping in the online store. All proceeds go directly to our grandma mentoring program

Will you please consider helping out with a donation? Will you help spread the word?

Here's the scoop: There are three groups of items to win! They are numbered #1, #2 and #3.

To enter, give a donation of any amount by clicking the "chip in" button located on the side bar (top left). Suggested donation is $5 per entry and for each $5 you will receive one entry into the giveaway. When you use the chip in button, please put which group number you are wanting to put your entry towards (ie please put my donation towards #2). Of course, if you are not able to give at this time, but would still like to enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post. :)

For a BONUS entry! Just facebook or tweet about the giveaway, linking back to this post and then just come back here and leave a comment that you did so! You will automatically receive an additional entry!

That's it! Easy peasy!

Giveaway will go for 1 week and winners will be drawn December 2nd ::Update: Extended through December 10!::

So, without further ado....here are the lovely items to be won!

Group #1

3 pretty flower pins, donated by Edan.

Custom Little Bird Creations Vintage Definition Pendant: You choose the word!

Design Your Own LBC Owl Coffee Cuff! You choose the colors.

Group #2
Beautiful "From Russia With Love" necklace donated by the fabulous Tracy at JunkPosse

2 large pretty flower pins donated by Edan. Great with scarfs!
Pretty Bloom statement necklace & 2 pretty bloom pins by Heather

Group #3

Fabulous trio of button earrings donated by Lindsay. You pick!

2 Statement necklaces & 4 Pretty flower headbands donated by Heather

Thank you and many blessings to you and yours this holiday season!

*No donation necessary to participate

Is It Dusty Around Here?!?

2011-11-13T07:21:00.000-05:00

Wow...poor little blog of mine. It's been terribly neglected.

But! It's because I've been blogging a bit more over HERE on our adoption blog!

And guess what else?! This little blog will be hosting a giveaway/fundraiser fairly soon. Just getting some kinks worked out. However, I'm excited to get it going and introduce you to an amazing new non-profit I've recently learned about. Half of the fundraiser will be going to this organization that loves on orphans. I hope you will join me next week in raising funds to help complete our adoption, as well as support orphan care!

Until then, hope you've all been having a lovely November!

Blessings!
-Jaime

Business of Oreos

2011-09-29T07:50:00.001-04:00

We like Oreos in my family. No. We LOVE them.

However, we don't often buy them. They are a super special treat. Perhaps twice a year at most do they show up in our pantry.

But, the one time for sure they will be there? In the Fall when the typically white cream center turns to orange. Oh yes, the halloween Oreos. Mmm.

Now, I don't much care for (gasp) halloween itself. Always loved the dress up part, but never the scary part. I was the kiddo that would rather stay home and snuggle up and watch "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown". But, I can guarantee you I will eat some halloween Oreos!

We were enjoying some the other evening for dessert (I know, it's only September) and the question arose as to what kind of Oreo eater each one of us is.

These are the catagories we discovered:

The dipper : just lets a little of the cookie be dipped in the milk

The dunker: just dunks it and eats it (my son)

The drowner: dunks it in and lets it get all soaked up. Then eats it.

The 'no way I'm putting my cookie near milk': just likes to eat the cookie and chase it down with some milk. (my husband)

I am sure there are other types of ways to Oreos, but I have discovered I am a drowner. Doesn't that sound horrible?! Yeah, I think so too. But, it's true (gasp!) I let my cookie just drown in the milk. Yuppers.

Funny story, growing up if my aunt caught me doing that she'd scold me. I thought it was totally normal. She thought it was terrible to let your fingers get near the milk. Whatevs...I was a kid and didn't much care. She told me my grandfather (otherwise known as Papa) taught her how to eat them that way. Try as I might to please, I just couldn't do it. I'm a cookie drowner.

Yup.

So, what kinda cookie eater are you? Do you even like Oreos?!

Seven

2011-09-13T13:02:00.000-04:00

The other day I was meandering around a fabric store. I had been feeling a little sad...no, a lot sad. I wasn't sure why I was feeling so blue and then it hit me...

It had been seven months. Seven months since the very day my precious Gramms had passed away. Oh...seven months how could it possibly be?!

I miss her so, so, so much. I was in the middle of the store. A store we'd been in together countless times. I was looking at a book I thought she would have liked. I wanted to turn to her and show it to her, but she wasn't there. It was in that instant I snapped out of it and was almost a mess of tears.

I felt sad, mournful and a bit silly. Like I had almost forgotten she was gone. That she was not standing there with me.

So very sad. I quickly had to flee the store the tears were coming so fast.

I was a mess of tears. Tears flowing down that I could not stop. Oh how I miss her.

I talked to my sister the next day to find out she had been feeling the same way and didn't realize it either. Funny how that is, isn't it? Those moments of sadness well up inside us, but we don't always know why. Until we are reminded of that sadness....that day it happened. The day my precious Gramms went to heaven.

I want to think this sadness will one day fade away, but I don't think it ever will. I will never stop missing her.

It's hard to believe life keeps going on as it does and I do not get to share it with her. But, I know she is happy and free where she is....blissfully happy and with Jesus. And that? That gives me peace.

I love you Gramms...your generous heart and happy, sunshine filled smile will forever be with me.

Tangled Mess

2011-09-07T14:24:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend I decided to tackle some unruly twine....

It went from this:

With some of these:

and voila! Turned into these!

Much less tangled and more functional. :)

Closet Thinking

2011-09-06T08:12:00.000-04:00

It's been in my mind for a while...changing things up. Perhaps converting a closet?

I have a dedicated sewing/craft room. The thought of giving it up and giving it to my kids...well, some might think I've lost my mind! But, more often than not, my kiddo (and kiddo to be most likely will too) come in and sit and craft along while I am working. Or chat or talk or color/build/design....and the like. Right along side me and I love it.

However, I have a whole room. I love it. It's mine....my special space that I can dream and design and sew and create in.

But, changes are coming. And I've been thinking about this for a while. Thinking about converting the closet in said sewing/craft studio into the craft/sewing studio itself. Doing so would make more 'hang out' space for kids. Also? It could double as a play room/craft space of their own. I also like the idea that I could shut the doors of my sewing/craft studio, lock it and enjoy the rest of the space hangin' out with my kids! :)

I checked around internet world (mainly pinterest) and stumbled upon some very creative and lovely spaces.

Source: ana-white.com via Jaime on Pinterest

love the colors in this one. Not sure how best used the space is though.

Source: bhg.com via Jaime on Pinterest

this one is nice too...

Source: craftaholicsanonymous.net via Jaime on Pinterest

very creative and good use of all the space!

Source: bhg.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Okay...this is really fun. Too bad I don't have an armoire I could do this with.

Source: sevenpretty.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Loving this one and the great use of space!

Source: theinspiredroom.net via Jaime on Pinterest

I'm thinking this one has to be my fave with the colors. Maybe a little more storage like the one above it though and it might just be the one! ;)

I know I have a lot (LOT) of purging and reorganizing to do to make this happen. That is, IF I decide to take the plunge. I know my kid(s) would love it. I'm thinking I would too.

It's gonna take some time....I'll let ya know if I go for it and pics along the way of the transformation.

Do you have a dedicated craft space? If not, does your dream room (or closet) look like?

InstaFriday

2011-09-02T14:18:00.000-04:00

It's InstaFriday! Time to share some fun and randomness of my past week...

Outside at a local Austin place. It was 8:30 at night, record high temps that day and misters still needed...HOT I tell ya.

On Sunday, after church we grabbed some Hey Cupcake! cupcakes. It's a super rare treat, but we were in the area, so....we got some. Mmm.

From my son's "I wonder journal" from school. Oh my heart. I love this kid.

Apparently we had a chance of rain this week. Uh....yeah. No clouds, no rain, still icky hot.

Colors! I picked up some fun fabrics this week. Love them.

And ahh....pretty lantana. I think that's what this plant is called anyway. Regardless, I LOVE it. :)

Then and Now

2011-08-30T18:15:00.000-04:00

Little Bird Creations started almost eight years ago. It started out as a means for my creative outlet making items for baby. My son was (and still is) a very big part of my inspiration for Little Bird. After all, Little Bird is named after his nickname he received in the hospital.

Eight years later, he clearly is no longer a baby and Little Bird no longer makes and sells items for baby. Little Bird has changed and grown over the years and it's purpose has too.

What started as a creative outlet has become something more. More personal and with more purpose.

As many know, we started the process of adoption almost 3 years ago. We are (hopefully) nearing the end of this process for this adoption. However, we know we want to do more. I want Little Bird to do more.

Last year I introduced the Little Bird Russia Coffee Cuff. A portion of the proceeds of the sales of those Coffee Cuffs goes towards an organization called The Harbor. More info on them HERE.

Throughout this past year, much has happened in my life personally. I lost my grandmother and then we lost Songbird. These are things I have shared about here and there, but mostly I write about our adoption over HERE.

And throughout this whole adoption process of learning and growing and meeting other families and Little Bird being able to help out with their adoption fundraising, I've come to truly see how much more I want there to be a purpose for Little Bird.

Not just about me or my coffee cuffs or pendants, but within those items, why those items are being sold. For whom.

Yes, all the sales in my shop go towards helping make our adoption possible, but I want to do more. With more purpose.

So, not only will sales from my SHOP help out our adoption, but other organizations, like The Harbor and others, that are doing what they can to help out orphans and families.

And that leads me to introduce a NEW item in the Little Bird shop!

Hand Embroidered Little Bird Pendants. Each unique. Each a little different. Each handmade.

(shown are the Heart for Africa pendants. More styles and sizes to come)

Each sold, a portion of the profits will go to help out the 147 million orphans and those that are doing what they can to help.

It's not just about me. It's not just about Little Bird. It's about so much more....so many more.

So, not only these pendants, but now ALL Little Bird items sold in the shop, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to these organizations.

These are the organizations that Little Bird will be donating to:

Both Hands Foundation: http://www.bothhandsfoundation.org

The Sparrow Fund: http://www.sparrow-fund.org/

The Harbor: http://www.theharborspb.org/

More will be added in time, I am sure. For now, these people, these organizations....these orphans.

Happenings at Little Bird

2011-08-18T11:31:00.005-04:00

Just a little update for you!

A few things have sneaked back into the shop this week...

Including lovely little Rosette Pincushion Rings! More colors to come...

And Eastern Europe has made an appearance once again....starting with Russia! Available in *Design Your Own* More info on how these got started HERE.

And lastly....I *heart* Sewing Coffee Cuffs in *Design Your Own* are back as well!

PS: use code Happy25 at checkout to receive 25% off your next Little Bird purchase!

Memories and Wishes

2011-08-16T16:32:00.000-04:00

Scenes in the house I have missed. Scenes that have been missing for a while...

My boy. I used to be held captive at the playdoh playing time for what seemed hours. Thinking, honestly, that it would be something that lasted for much longer than it did in reality.

How time passes so quickly and that 2..then 3...then 4....now 8(eight!) year old has grown so, so fast!

He took out a little tiny package of play-doh he received as a birthday party favor. Before I knew it, the table was covered in little shapes cut out of play-doh. Just like old times, but with a little more big kid vibe to it.

My big kid.

Sigh. Scenes I know will be missed once again...

InstaFriday

2011-08-12T12:10:00.000-04:00

Ya know it's been a long (or good?) week when there is a coffee theme to one's pics. For realz.

However, I'm gonna start off at last Friday....

This is one of my FAVE local Austin places to get pizza. It's in SoCo (known as South Congress) in downtown. LOVE it. My boy calls it "the best pizza in the universe". They also have garlic knots and yum salads.

Over the weekend, we got our craft on. I made up some more Vintage Dictionary Pendants and my boy made a pirate ship. He so rocks.

We also headed to the G-parents for a bit and my boy got to do some concrete surfing. Fun stuff.

Earlier in the week, we had to go downtown again for some adoption paper work chasing and I got to swing by my FAVE local Austin coffee place. Caffe Medici. Mmmm. Ironically, this pic? Had nothing to do with that coffee place, just happens to be a sign I saw when driving around and snapped it. :)

There were some Lego happenings around the house....plenty of heads seeming to be lost?! Who knows....

I stopped by my sisters for a bit one day and she gave me a belated B-Day present. Or early...either way it's funny because my birthday was in May and we already did a sister deal with that. BUT, my sis saw this on her vacation and said she HAD to get it for me. I laugh because it's as-big-as-yo-head huge! Plus, my niece will always tell her "Auntie Jaime can make anything!. So, there ya have it.

My boy is into TaeKwonDo. Big time. Loves it. Apparently is was a harder session....he fell asleep on the way home while playing his DS.

Oh look! Me....with what else, but an iced mocha! Oh yes, it was a HOT day and I needed a lovely iced beverage. With caffeine. And of course a coffee cuff to keep my hands from being all wet and cold.

And I leave you with my morning. I love how the sun filters into the dining room in the morning. Just makes me happy.

On Horsemen and Legos

2011-08-11T08:29:00.002-04:00

The other day my son hollers from the other room (he'd been playing with legos most of the morning) "Mom! I can't find my headless horseman! Have you seen it?"

Me: "no honey, I haven't seen any headless horsemen today"

The things I never thought I would say when I became a mother....

To Be Made

2011-08-09T15:16:00.000-04:00

Things in the making...

I picked up this fabulous turquoise dupioni silk, black and white damask print and some fun buttons at the fabric store not too long ago.

What will it become? Little gifts for the caregivers in the orphanage our Sunshine is currently in. Just a simple way to say 'thank you' for caring for our daughter until we could get back for her.

I cannot wait to get back to her.

Fundraiser To Come!

2011-08-02T18:31:00.000-04:00

A little sneak peek at our adoption fundraiser coming up this month!

We are still taking donations if you are willing to donate and spread the word about things! Just contact me at jaime (at) littlebirdcreations (dot) com!

If you've offered an item and are planning to send it/send a pic my way, give me a holla! Also, I am happy to include any links to shops/blogs etc., so just let me know what those are and I will include them with the fundraiser listing!

Eight

2011-07-25T12:07:00.001-04:00

Over the weekend my son turned eight.

Someone hold me.

Eight. How can this be?!

I probably say it every year, but I cannot believe it has been this long. Eight years.

My boy. He loves math, reading, TaeKwonDo, Music. Oh yes, music....a beat he hears and his feet he can't keep still. (He gets it from me). Even more so, he loves God. His current 'I want to be' when he grows up is a fire fighter and a race car driver. He's also already started saving for his first bike....

The motorcycle kind.

Help me now.

This boy. Eight short years ago fit so easily into a cuddle and now? Now barely can fit on my lap when he does want a snuggle moment with his mama.

Nerf gun waring, trampoline jumping, popsicle eating, donut loving, beat the pants off me Wii playing, fun loving, contagious giggle producing, beach loving....and much more...boy of mine.

Happy Birthday my son. You are incredible. You are smart. You are loved.

Ruffles and Blooms

2011-07-22T07:39:00.003-04:00

A few new items made their way into the shop this week! Did you see them?

Introducing the new Ruffle Bloom Coffee Cuff:

The Little Owl Coffee Cuff

AND the Abstract Stripes Coffee Cuff!

Also making their way back into the shop....

Design Your Own! I *heart* Photography Coffee Cuffs.

Fun fun....you can find these lovelies HERE.

Happy Friday!

Psst...don't forget, use code SUMMER20 at checkout to receive a lovely little discount on your Little Bird purchase!

Inspiration Workshop: Sunshine

2011-07-14T07:01:00.000-04:00

My take on sunshine is not your typical sunny beaches with brightly colored beach umbrellas sprinkled about.

It's not backyard slip n slides, bubble blowing and green grass...

Or the smell of sunscreen and chlorine mingled in the clothes to be washed from days spent outside in the sun.

I love all those things, but what I think about when I hear the word 'sunshine' is a person who's life forever changed mine for the better.

My Gramms.

(my Gramms when she was around 18 years of age)

My Gramms favorite color was yellow and her favorite flowers were yellow roses. She loved sun drenched Fall days and the golden colored leaves mingling as they fell to the ground.

She had the best laugh and would fill a room with sunshine when she smiled.

She knew how to make anyone feel welcome and her home was always a happy place to be.

Sunshine. My grandmother was full of beautiful sunshine....

And on those rare sunny days in the Fall, when a glimpse of sunshine is peaking through the trees and the golden colored leaves...I will be thinking of her. Missing her.

Sunshine was my Gramms.

InstaFriday

2011-07-08T18:25:00.003-04:00

How was your week? This is a little glimpse into mine...

Enjoying the parade and what it's all about.

And enjoying the candy given out at the parade...we now have a bag full. Oy.

Rain clouds...oh how we've needed them! And they were nice enough to bring some rain showers with them.

Me and the Mister driving about.

Enjoying summertime fun with the cousins.

Happy feet after a much needed pedicure. Went with my sis and her two kiddos joined us...yes, even my nephew. He loves getting his feet all nice and de-funked. ;)

A Little Tuesday Tutorial

2011-06-28T20:04:00.002-04:00

A little while back I stumbled onto to this little tutorial via Pinterest. Ah..happy little place that Pinterest is.

Source: sarahortega.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Do you Pinterest?

Anyhoo...after seeing this fab pic, I checked it out and then made my way to the dollar store and picked up the necessary supplies. Thankfully, I already had the super duper awesome E6000 glue.

Funny little side story:
In the process of things, while spray painting....I did something I did not realize until few days later. Hard to explain, but I spray painted in the garage while our one and only car was still in it.( I know )I was too impatient to move it. I didn't think it would be a big deal, since I was just doing a little spray painting project...

Yeah, let's just say I noticed a strange oak pollen like film on our car. I mentioned to the Mr. how it seemed kinda late in the season for that, but went to get a car wash anyway....and....AND it was still there afterwards!

Uhoh...

I looked at my husband and wondered WHY the carwash didn't wash the pollen off....and then it hit me. OMGOSH!!! I.spray.painted.the.car.

Oh yes I did!

Clearly my spray painting skillz need a little help. Oy. Thankfully it really isn't noticeable unless you are sitting in the front passenger seat...ahem...

K, so, got the supplies and spray painted away, let dry, added another coat...let dry...you get the picture. Then I glued, waited overnight and VOILA!

Pretty little cake stand/goody serving/display stand of sorts. I love it. I love the yellow.

I am thinking I will mostly use them as decor above my kitchen cabinets that are rather bare since I painted them (really need to get a post done about that!) and then for the occasional craft show to display my wares.

So, tell me....do you have a spray painting story? Any kinda crafty mishap story? Please? Help me feel better. K? Thanks.

Inspiration Workshop: Week 4

2011-06-23T15:08:00.000-04:00

I'm linking up with Gussy for the Inspiration Workshop. This week is Spend The Day Playing!

Ahh...if I had a day to myself, hmm...how would I want to spend it?! It would be one of two ways...

One would be at the beach. With my family.

I love, love, love the beach. I just wished we lived closer...like, a lot closer! It's a good 5 hour trek to the nearest beach from where we live. Boo.

I would want to stay in a cute little beach cottage:

Source: housebeautiful.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Along with an ever so spiffy beach cruiser to ride around on. One for each of us.

Source: iheartshabbychic.blogspot.com via Jaime on Pinterest

And of course, plenty of time lounging on the deck or on the beach building sand castles would hit the spot.

Source: homedesignsites.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Oh the beach...how I love thee! And how I love that my son loves it just as much as I do. :)

But...since the beach is a farther distance and I actually have a little time to myself today, I would likely spend it going to my fave coffee house and having a coffee. Mmm.

Source: google.com via Tacky on Pinterest

Perhaps head to the library down the street after having a nice iced mocha (cause it's HOT outside, even in the mornings now..) and check out some books. Maybe ones on crafting or Russia...ya know, my two passions of late. ;)

Then head off thrifting...time to myself to look at things! Yay!

Source: ffffound.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Perhaps grab a pedicure with a friend? Yes, please! Could you imagine getting one here?! Love.

Source: None via Lily {of opulence} on Pinterest

Then I am certain it would be time to pick up my kiddo from day camp....we'd probably hit the coffee house for a treat together and another iced coffee for mama...being that I would need an afternoon pick-up by then!

We'd head home and just chill together. Probably playing some Wii or reading a book. We love books.

Inspiration Workshop: Kitchens

2011-06-09T12:46:00.000-04:00

I'm linking up to the Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop

This weeks prompt was kitchens, which I love, because a great kitchen just makes my heart happy! And I am not one to think size matters when it comes to having a great kitchen. Not that I wouldn't mind a nice sized kitchen (mine is kinda on the small side), but thinking of my Gramms and her kitchen and the warmth she created...ah...happy memories!

I've been looking at all kinds of happy kitchen inspiration via Pinterest (of course!) and this one below I just love. I love the green chairs and yellow dishes...and I'm totally in love with white cabinets at the moment.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Jaime on Pinterest

I could totally see myself just sitting here and drinking coffee with my Gramms. I miss her so much...especially our almost daily coffee dates. Happy memories.

InstaFriday

2011-06-03T14:07:00.001-04:00

I saw this a little while back on twitter by the fab Jeannett. Do you know her?! She's pretty awesome, I must say.

So, I'm linking up! My first week...pics from our recent trip to Russia. I know, they are from last week, but in all fairness I could not link up last week while still in country....why? Well, because it was an emotional week and I didn't always have internet access. So, there. ;)

We traveled several hours and 3 flights to get there. This is my son waiting for flight number two...across the Atlantic!

Once in country, there was plenty of beautiful scenery we saw while driving out past the city. There were many times I just wanted to stop and get out and capture more of it with something other than my iPhone, but there was not time to.

A market we stopped at on the way out of town the one day. Kinda like the Russian version of Walmart?

And surprise! Out in the parking lot of the market there was a man...with a TIGER! An actual real live tiger. Then, he brought out a lion...I didn't get a pic of the lion though. It was so odd just seeing them on the sidewalk and people just walking by like it was no biggie! Gee....why don't we have random tigers outside of our markets?!

Oh, and just past there we also saw a camel. A CAMEL! Just hanging outside some typical apartments in the city. Doesn't everyone have a pet camel?! No? Oh...well then...

A fairly typical building there. Plenty of construction was going on in one part of the city...this was just some of it.

Once out of the city, there was a cute little roadside stand of sorts we stopped at. Eggs, milk and such can be bought there. It was pretty fascinating. Very different than just buying eggs at the grocery here!

One of my favorite days there just also happened to be our 11 year wedding anniversary! That day we also got to stop by a local cafe in a village we were passing through. My son and I had crepes with jam (Yum!) and my husband had really good pelmeni (super yum!).

And eventually we had to start the journey (and three flights) home. My son brought a book along to read that I thought was pretty appropriate for the trip...especially since he is an official time traveler now! We went 16 hours ahead of our time zone...through several more time zones and back again....crazy.

So, that is it, little snapshots of our second trip to Russia. :)

Adoption Auction

2011-05-19T17:20:00.001-04:00

:::UPDATE::: We traveled in late May and are still collecting items for the auction. Hoping to have it up SOON!:::

Okay....so, here we have it. Facing the unknown once again and starting back at square one. We are soon to travel on our second trip to Eastern Europe, but it will be a like a trip one all over again.

::if you're new here and interested in the auction and would like to know more about our story, check our our adoption blog over HERE::

It's hard. And, at the same time I have hope. There is a glimmer. There is a child there waiting for us. And all the while, this has been the most difficult journey of our lives. To experience such loss and at the same time such hope...not sure how to really put it into words. I don't think I can.

What I can do is put an auction together. And I want to say a HUGE Thank You to those of you who've offered items to donate to our auction. You have no idea how much this means to us. An unplanned third trip is not exactly what we EVER thought would be happening.

With this unplanned trip comes many unplanned adoption expenses. Mainly travel. Travel is a giant chunk of the adoption expenses. This is where the adoption auction comes in!

We are planning to have the auction up and running by late June/early July. If you are wanting to donate an item or gift certificate (or the like), please let us know! You can email me at Jaime(at)littlebirdcreations(dot)com.

We have some great items donated so far, so I am really looking forward to getting this up and running!

Please help us spread the word about it! The auction will be set up on this blog.

THANK YOU!!!

A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

2011-05-18T00:13:00.000-04:00

As some of you have heard through twitter and facebook, my family received some devastating news this week. We were supposed to be traveling this week to go bring our daughter home from Russia.

This is not what will be happening. Instead of re-writing it all on this blog, please go HERE to learn more about what happened.

*********************
Obviously, we are stunned and in disbelief. At the same time, we are still invited to travel to meet another child.

This is the hard part. How does one mourn such a loss and at the same time be willing to open their heart to another child? I am still not sure how my heart will be capable of this. What I do know is that God has not said no and we are to continue down this path of adoption that He is leading us on.

That being said....

This will now require us to make an unplanned third trip to Russia. A trip that we are not at all financially prepared for. This means we absolutely cannot complete this adoption without more fundraising. And this trip could be coming more quickly than we realize.

This is where we need your help. We need you to help spread the word via twitter, facebook...whatever means possible about an online fundraiser we would like to put together. We need donations of items to raffle.

Are you willing to donate an item? Do you have an Etsy (or other handmade) shop that you would be willing to donate something from or a gift certificate?

Please let me know! Just email me at jaime(at)littlebirdcreations(dot)com if you are interested.

Thank you. Thank you all that have already been supporting us in prayer and your kind thoughts and encouragement. This is an extremely difficult time right now and we need your thoughts and prayers more than ever.

Bless you!

Just 203 To Go!

2011-05-02T21:15:00.002-04:00

It's been a while since I have mentioned much about adoption fundraising, but this just might be my last post on it for a while. At least for our family. Yes, we plan to adopt again in the future, but right now we are focused on Songbird and the time is coming fast to when we finally get to bring her home.

Meanwhile....

We still have a puzzle to finish! I've mentioned it before and there are details about it HERE.

It's no secret that adoption can be costly. I haven't calculated it yet, but I'm pretty sure FedEx has received quite a chunk of it. Let's just say...sending paperwork over half way around the world (whether the size of a novel or just two documents) is pricey!

SO...if you don't mind helping to spread the word, we just have 203 pieces to go! We'd love to be able to finish it before we leave.

***Update: Now just 193 to go!***

ALSO....a little something extra for you! If you click above about the details, you will see that each piece can be sponsored for $5. I am also offering you another option! From now until May 12 (when LBC closes shop until July) any purchase made at Little Bird will count towards finishing the puzzle! All you have to do is enter coupon code Songbird to receive 15% off your order and in the notes just tell me you'd like to be added to "the missing piece" to help finish the puzzle!

How does that sound?! Good? Hope so...I would love to be able to put as many names as possible to show our Songbird just how much so many care and love her.

Thank you and, if you would, please help spread the word around blog and twitterverse!

Shop NEWS!!!

2011-04-29T15:03:00.000-04:00

Some of you that follow me on twitter or facebook have already heard the good news....but, we finally got our court date to travel to Russia to see Songbird and (hopefully all goes well) bring her home!!!

SO, that being said, Little Bird will be going into vacation mode starting May 12. Custom (*design your own*) will only be excepted through May 6. If there is something you've been eyeing, go take a peek and snatch it up! I will not be reopening until July to allow time to spend with our new family of four!

AND...to add a little goody for you, use coupon code LBC15 to receive 15% off your purchase at Little Bird!

Thank you and have a lovely weekend!

A Little Update

2011-04-01T14:17:00.000-04:00

You might have already seen these listed in the shop, but I thought I would share a little more about the NEW adjustable Little Bird Coffee Cuffs.

I have been using mine for a little over a month now and have to say, love it! Mainly because the weather is already warming up here where I am (like, it's going to be almost 90degrees today!) and once the weather starts getting up there, I like to drink me some iced coffee beverages.

SO....in comes the new Little Bird adjustable coffee cuff!

It still works on the hot coffee (or tea or hot cocoa) to-go cups, BUT it will also stretch to adjust to most iced coffee (or tea) beverages too! Fun, huh?! Another fun thing? I even use mine on my reusable travel coffee cup!

Also....I know some of you might be pretty excited about this (I hope), but the Songbird and I *heart* Sewing Coffee Cuffs will soon be in the shop with the "Design Your Own" option!

K...enough shop update.

Happy Friday to you!

Spring Craft Fair

2011-03-30T12:47:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks ago I participated in my first art, craft and vintage Spring Fair.

I was hesitant at first to say 'yes' since we have literally been living "on hold" waiting for THE call to travel for our adoption for the past 9 months. But sometimes? Ya just gotta keep living...it's a fine balance...(and I have yet to figure that balance out)

SO, I said yes and got my craft on super speed to get ready for it.

It has been a while since I've done a craft show and this would be my first like it. It was located in a coffee shop in downtown Austin where the BEST, most fabulous coffee is being served.
(Seriously, if you're ever in the Austin area, go check out Caffe Medici. Their mocha...I die it's so good!)

K...back to the show.

Let's just say at one point I think I hit freak out mode wondering if I could possibly put everything I needed together to go to this event. Figuring out how much to make and of what....ugh. I decided to just make what I could and based the color combos on what was the latest and most requested from my Design Your Own listings.

Wanna little peak on my set up? It's super simple, but I tried to get it all together well on two tables that were only about 2ft. in diameter....not a ton to work with!

Here is my modest little table(s) all set up:

Here are some Pretty Rosette Pin Cushion Rings:

(I have not yet listed all of these in the shop, but hopefully soon they will be!)
And a total side note on the bowl the rings were in...I was packing all my display items to take to the show and the bowl slipped right outta my hands and crashed all over my dining room floor...disaster! I had no good backup except a bowl my Gramms had given me that I really did NOT want to use, but took it with me and held onto to it with a kung-fu grip lest anything should happen to it! It survived the show just fine, promise. But I will be replacing the broken bowl for the next show...

Overall, the show was good. I didn't make a ton of sales by any means, but I made some great connections and really enjoyed meeting the other creative types around me. And a total bonus? I got to drink coffee....lots of it the whole day. Mmm...

Tell me, are you planning any Spring or Summer shows? How do you plan for them?

Some Comic Relief

2011-02-14T14:34:00.000-05:00

A little comic relief making valentines (project found HERE) with my son for school. It was a much needed laugh after the very difficult week we had.

As some of you know, my Gramms passed away unexpectedly last week. It's been hard and I will dedicate a post to her soon....

For now, I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day! I hope it is lovely.

Little Bird Shop Update

2011-02-03T14:44:00.000-05:00

Just a little shop update...

NEW in the shop and ready to ship!

The Little Bird "I *heart* sewing" Coffee Cuff! Will be available in "design your own" soon too!

Pssst: use code LBC15 at checkout to get 15% off your Little Bird purchase! Good through Sunday!

Happy Mail!

2011-02-01T12:58:00.000-05:00

I love getting happy little packages in the mail and yesterday?! My mail person brought this:

I ordered the sampler pack from The Twinery. I love it. I couldn't decide on just one color, so I thought this would be a good choice to check out and see which I would like best.

Ha! I still cannot decide! And whats more? They have added another fabulous sampler pack in new colors to their shop. Sigh...love...just cannot choose my favorite.

What I will decide? Is to use the contents of this happy little package on happy little packages sent to lovely Little Bird customers!

Happy happy.

Almost Got Caught!

2011-01-18T09:38:00.000-05:00

Funny little story...

The other day I was busily sewing away in the Little Bird studio when time quickly got away and it was time to go get my boy from school!

I started to walk out the door and did one last check in the mirror before walking out....

Hehe...good thing I did! This is what I was about to walk out the door wearing. Can you see what items should probably not join me?

One would be my rosette pincushion ring...and the other my measuring tape! Ha! I cannot tell you how many times I have almost done this.

Funny thing is...I still had felt pieces clinging to my jeans anyway....

Yeah, I am sure the other moms at school think I am a dork. I am OK with that. :)

Little Laptop Gift

2011-01-13T10:43:00.002-05:00

I am a little delayed in posting this, but better late than never, right?!

This is a little gift I made for my fabulous Mom-in-law for Christmas.

She received a laptop last year and, of course, needed something to keep it cozy when not in use. So, I whipped up a laptop sleeve for her.

I don't have a pattern, but used the laptop (or my laptop, rather) for measurement and used some fusible fleece between the outer and inner fabric to cushion it a bit. Then I quilted it a bit and finished it off with a pretty button my son chose just for Nana!

Fun stuff. I love being able to have some handmade items mixed into all the gift giving during the year.

How about you....got any fun handmade gifts you are making or planning to make?!

A Glimpse of Her

2011-01-10T10:19:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago I was going through some boxes my dad had given me that once belonged to his mother. My grandmother.

A grandmother whom I never really knew. She is his mother...his adoptive mom.
(over HERE is a little more about this story...about the distance that once was)

I think I truly would have loved her. I feel we had a lot in common, blood related or not.

With all the sewing things was this box.

I opened the box to find an array of different items like buttons, some dice (not sure what for?!), sewing needles, knitting and crochet needles and hooks and an old wool felt pin cushion.

I stared at these items, getting just a glimpse of this woman who raised my father. A woman I so, so very much wanted to know and know more about.

I know she was from Spain and her name was Zulia. I know she loved sewing and knitting and crotchet work.

I know we would have gotten along well and I would have loved to learn just some of the things she knew about sewing.

I know that, even though we were not related by blood, that we would have had plenty in common to talk about while we sewed.

I also know that, even though she is no longer with us, I have a glimpse of who she was within these items....I know I would have loved her.

We would have gotten along splendidly.

First Project of 2011!

2011-01-06T09:21:00.000-05:00

This past holiday season I found THIS fabulous project over on THIS fabulous blog and I knew...KNEW! I had to make one.

But...I didn't want to stop there. I decided to make one to change out for the rest of the year.

You ready?

Tada!

Now when guests come to my door, they will see a happy little doormat greeting them with a little *hello*.

Silly, yes. Love it? I definitely do. My sister has even requested one....Hmm....I do believe I know what she is getting this year for her birthday!

How about you? Do you have your first project of 2011 started?

365 or 52..Hmm...

2011-01-03T09:08:00.000-05:00

Most have heard about Project 365 or 52...taking a photo a day or a week.

The last two years I have attempted doing 365 and have pretty much failed at it. Not because I didn't have a camera with me practically 365, but because there were times I literally *forgot* to take a picture and it would be 10pm that night before I would remember my pic for the day.

Ugh.

So, this year I have decided to do things a little differently. I am doing P365 on my iPhone since I have a nifty little app that will help me with that. But, I am taking the pressure off for the rest of it and committing to doing 52 photos in 52 weeks. Now, I am changing it up a bit though....

I will continue to take more than ONE photo, but will choose one or two photos that truly capture the week, our family or whatnot and use that as my photo(s). I know once we get Songbird home, I am going to be taking more than one photo a week. Heck, I take more than one photo a week now! Just sometimes I might miss a day here and there...

So, I figured I can take a little collection of photos for the week and perhaps make a little collage of that week for my 52. Kinda my own little variation of it you could say.

Then, at the end of all this? I am planning to make one of THESE

Now....I will say this....once Songbird is home, I plan to do a project 365 of her first year home. I really like the idea of capturing her first year with us. All the little moments here and there. Simple, fun and just us.

So, what about you? Do you have a Project 52 or 365 planned? Do you plan to use flickr or tumblr or something else?

This New Year....2011

2011-01-01T08:58:00.000-05:00

Last year I started the year off with a post about what my word for 2010 would be.

I first heard about it from this blog over HERE. I loved the idea.

My word for last year was G R O W....

Oh wow. What I never knew would happen throughout 2010. The growth that would happen in my life, in my marriage, in being a mother...I.had.no.idea.

THIS is my post about my word from last year.

What the year 2010 brought...I do not know if I have nearly the words to describe all that happened and all the ways I grew.

My faith was challenged and I was drawn closer to God.

I did grow in my faith...and in my fear...and in my knowing no matter what, HE always had me in His hands and was always there with me through it all. Still is.

Trust...oh how much I am still growing there...

(To learn more about all that and our adoption journey, THIS is a good place to start. Especially if you happen to be new here to my little blog.)

It is a new year...new hopes, dreams, goals...

What will my word be for 2011? This year, another with so much promise, yet also so much unknown.....

e m b r a c e

I want to embrace it. ALL of it.

Every hope, every dream...brought to reality, or not....every goal, every challenge, every up and every down.

The wonderful moments...the heartbreaks...the frustrations....the achievements....both of my children's and of myself.

The moment I see my Songbird again and the moment my son and daughter meet for the first time.

All the fears, the unknowns....this incredible journey that is still just beginning.

I want to E M B R A C E it.
*******************************

What will your word be?

Ninjabreadmen...Take That!

2010-12-23T14:07:00.001-05:00

I found these super awesome cookie cutters over HERE.

So fun.

It's apparently also a great way to get your 7 year old son to bake with you. I mean, hello?! Not gingerbread men, but Ninjabread Men!

So, off we got to rolling, cutting and baking.

( Shhh, don't tell, but I used pre-made gingerbread dough )

THEN...we got to decorate them!

These were seriously fun to make and bring a little added kick to the holiday celebration. :)

Speaking of....tomorrow is Christmas Eve!!! So, I will be signing off here for the next week to spend some much needed time with my family.

I hope those that celebrate have a fabulous Christmas, that all have a great rest of 2010 and a very Happy New Year in 2011!

See you back here in January!

Silly Emotional Gift Wrap

2010-12-17T10:32:00.001-05:00

I just got silly emotional over wrapping a gift for my son.

It's not the gift (although I think it's awesome he wants one of those wooden drawing manikins...and it came WITH a beginners drawing kit...) I got emotional over, but the actual wrapping of it.

I know. It's sounds so odd, but the reason goes back to memories of my Gramma. Thankfully she is still with us, but she is not the younger Gramma I once knew.

It's hard. She taught me how to sew buttons, how to use a sewing machine and read a pattern. She taught me how to cook the most wonderful family recipes that I so cherish along with so, so many other wonderful things. Too many to list in one blog post. She is the woman who practically raised me.

And.....

She taught me how to wrap gifts. She was so perfect at it! I begged her to teach me, and with much love and affection...as with everything she has ever done...she taught me.

I remember....I must have been around my son's age now....I asked her HOW she was able to wrap so darn good! And she told me, one year, she worked in gift wrap when she was a younger.

She explained how it wasn't just the wrapping job, but the wrapping paper one chooses. She also told me to take my time and not rush it....in time I would get the hang of it and would be able to do it as she did.

I eventually got the hang of it, but I don't think I will ever do it quite like she could.

So, why does this make me so emotional?! I can only attribute it to her not being able to do these things like she once could.

Her hands are more frail and she cannot sew with me as she once did, because she cannot see very well now. She cannot cook, walk, bake pies or cook a whole Christmas dinner like she used to any longer.

It almost completely breaks my heart.....I miss her. I miss the Gramma that could play soccer with my son and stand and bake pies with me all day in preparation for the holidays. I know it sounds so selfish, but it's true.

This past Thanksgiving? It was the first year we were not able to bake pies together....

I chose not to bake any pies. I also got sick, so I was not necessarily able to anyway. But....

But! This Christmas? My sister, niece and I are going to get together and bake. I know my Gramms won't be able to, but she will be here with us too. She is still pretty good at directing...

I pray we have many more years together....but...I will cherish the ones we have now.

And gift wrap? It may always make me cry and little.

Uniqueness Box

2010-12-15T10:50:00.000-05:00

My son brought this home the other Sunday from church. It's called a uniqueness box. Or at least that is what it said on the paper. It's also like his own little prayer box...you'll see why...

He was so excited to show me all the different sides of it. Especially the one he drew of Songbird:

He even included one of our dog and one of himself.

Then I opened the box and my heart melted into a puddle:

There they were. Three simple prayers of a child. In case you need translating, they say:

-Please keep them safe while they are gone
-Please keep my mom and dad safe in Russia
-Please keep my sister safe

Yeah, I know we need to work a bit on the spelling, but for right now? I do not care. It's the thought and simple plea of a child in prayer.

I am not sure my heart will ever leave it's puddled state....

Little Gnomes

2010-12-09T12:41:00.001-05:00

I seem to go through thread pretty quickly while making lots of fun coffee cuffs...

In one particularly busy month, I got quite the collection of empty spools. I thought to myself there must be something I can make with these! Then, I happened upon a tutorial that, for the life of me, I cannot find now! If I do, I will certainly post it here...if these look familiar and you know where in blogland it is, feel free to share in the comments so credit can be properly given.

Meanwhile...empty spools. And gnomes. Serious fun and cuteness when adding a bit of felt, wooden head-dealy's and a marker.

See!

I took my empty spool, glued the heady-ball dealy on (yes, I just called it that...let's just go with it):

Then I took some felt and glued together some cute little clothes and hat for them. Then took a marker and added a face...and voila!

Cute little gnome family. They make me happy.

And yes, that littlest one IS meant to be Songbird. :)

Finding Balance...

2010-11-22T08:03:00.000-05:00

Learning to say "no", or "I cannot this time"....

You'd think it would be easy, but for me? It's not.

This entire year...this whole year of roller coaster land and adoption and Russia...

I have had to say "no" or "I can't" or "maybe next time" many times this year. Not that it's not apart of everyday life and interactions anyway. It is for the most part....sometimes the answer is simply "I cannot this time".

But this year? It's been a fine balance to try and figure out. Early in the year we had so much hope and promise and then so much uncertainty and not knowing what was going to happen...or when we were going to travel for that first trip....or IF we were going to even get to travel.

And yet? Here I am again....not knowing when we are going to travel and not knowing when we will get "the call" about "the date"....

It's meant saying "no", or "I cannot this time", or "not this year" to different events, holiday bazars or shows, possible 5K's or races I otherwise would have liked to do.

I am OK with it...for the most part. It's just so hard to try and plan events or holiday celebrations or even promote my little Etsy shop without worrying about committing to too much. Yet, at the same time finding that balance of not just stopping and pushing that pause button on life, which oddly enough, doesn't exist. I sometimes wish I had a pause button....alas I do not.

Mainly, it's hard with Christmas right around the corner. Yes, my daughter is in Russia, but my son is here with us. Balance....

How to make sure he is taken care of and holiday celebrations continue....and life is not put on hold...and at the same time, plan for what could be in just a few weeks or possibly a few months.

Limbo....uncertainty....balance....

It will all get worked out....it's just not so easy is it?!

Super Star!!!

2010-11-18T16:40:00.000-05:00

Mellie...my niece. I adore her.

Not too long ago, when we were having one of our crafting days together, she said she wanted to make something to help bring Songbird home.

She was eyeing some buttons. My square and star buttons.

I poured some out for her and let her just use her imagination to design whatever she wanted with them.

And she did....she designed some fabulous Super Star Button Rings!

I love them. Whats more...I love watching how she just get's an idea, sees some inspiration in whatever it is that sparked her imagination and then just creates!

So, the new from Little Bird and designed by Mellie Super Star Rings and now in the SHOP!

Vintage Dictionary Pendants

2010-11-11T16:46:00.000-05:00

New in the shop: Vintage Dictionary Pendants!

A new collection of vintage dictionary pendants called "the fruits of the spirit" are now listed in the SHOP!

Is there a word you'd love to see in the shop?!

Not Just About Me

2010-11-04T18:10:00.002-04:00

I have a heart for adoption. A HUGE crazy heart for orphans. Orphans all over the world, but for me, the place God has placed on my heart is Eastern Europe.

Since I was a little, little girl I knew Eastern Europe was somehow going to be a place that I was involved in when I grew up. A place I had heard about....heard about children that needed care. That needed families. That simply needed. Orphans.

And I am going to go out on a limb and say this....it's not just about adoption. Yes, children all over the world are in need of homes and people to truly love and care for them. But, what about the ones who never find their forever homes? Their forever families? What about the ones that age out of the system?

They have little hope. No where to go and no one to reach out to. These children, these orphans, are targets . Targets for trafficking, for drug and alcohol abuse...and so much more. I don't like to think about it, but I cannot help it.

It's my heart. My heart to reach out and do something more. Yes, we are adopting a little girl and yes, we know that is our calling at this time. But, we know we are called to do more...

Orphan care. Former orphans...children aged out of the system. What about them?

I started making coffee cuffs last year and also have made them for other families adopting from different countries. I LOVE, love being able to help out others with a similar calling. Those answering the call to adopt. And through that, I realized this adoption journey? It is not just about me.

So not just about me. I want to help others. I want to help these children that do not have a forever family and a place to call home. A place to be loved.

So, I have made up three different Coffee Cuffs. All three are countries in Eastern Europe: Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia.

For each coffee cuff sold, I will be donating half the proceeds to an organization that is devoted to helping these children. These aged out orphans.

The organization I have chosen is called The Harbor. You can find out more about them HERE.

These Coffee Cuffs will be making their debut in the SHOP next week. "Design Your Own" will be available for these as well.

These will be available in the shop until Dec. 1st. Then, not again until the New Year.

Will you help spread the word? What is your calling or God sized dream?

My Very Favoritest Pair

2010-10-29T10:44:00.002-04:00

My sun glasses. My favorite sunglasses suddenly bit the dust the other day.

I am sad. My very favoritest (I know, not really word, but let's go with it...) pair that took me forever to find (at Target) and the same pair that traveled to Russia with me when I met Songbird.

Broken. Not fixable. Boo.

Just to give you a little history on me and sunglasses...I have one pair that I LOVED and wore forever that I got on sale. They were Fossil and they were perfect in every way for me...AND they were plum color! I'm not kidding when I say I bought them when I was 17years old and wore them until I was 25.

Yes, yes I did.

I would probably still be wearing them had they not fallen off my head, while I was carrying my huge baby in his carrier to the car, and crashed to the garage floor. They stayed intact just fine, but the lenses were all scratched up. Boo.

SO, I went to my old stand-by ones. Ya know, that extra pair one stashes in case of such things. Ones I bought for a ridiculous $4 when I was the ripe old age of 14. Oh yes, I still had those and wore those until about two years ago.

It sometimes is a little embarrassing...especially when people comment and want to know where I got them...

How to you tell people you've had them over 10 (plus, plus, plus) years and when you do tell them such a thing, guess what?! They look at you like you're a little silly...OR they think it's awesome...

Yeah, Oh well....

So, clearly, when I needed to go in search of new sunglasses, this next pair had to have some serious wow effect with me. Okay, really, comfy. I need comfy and something that helps when evil migraines occur.

Also? I seem to do best with the not really expensive brands, because I am certain! certain, that I would lose or sit on them or something within three seconds. Because, did you read? $4...and lasted almost forever.

SO, when my son saw my broken sunglasses on the kitchen counter, he picked them up, gave me a "oh mom, so sad"face and then said, "I will take a look at them and see if I can fix them for you, mom!".

Ack! I love that kid. He truly gets the importance of mom's sunglasses. Which I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not....

However, this weekend I will go in search of another pair of sunglasses. And when I find them, I am getting TWO pair, because it seems that they only last a year with me now instead of over a decade....

Do you have a favorite pair of sunglasses that have lasted way longer than expected? Surely I cannot be the only one...

The Artwork Wall

2010-10-27T14:40:00.000-04:00

I love this wall. I love how it changes and evolves through different phases of our days/weeks/months.

It used to look like this:

I loved it then too. Then, I thought it would be super fun to just plaster the whole wall with all the different pictures and paintings and crafty projects....

However, then I decided to repaint that room.

And now, it looks different. But, I think it's a good different.

It has evolved and changed, just as my boy has grown and changed. What was once scribbles has become more defined and intentional.

And it will change again in time.

We (meaning the boy and I) decided we needed to make sure there was room for Songbird's pictures and paintings to hang up too. So, when she arrives, we will rearrange once again.

The ever growing, changing and evolving art work wall.

Yes, I love this wall.

Do you have an art work wall or space in your home? Feel free to share about it! :)

A Little Whimsy

2010-10-26T13:31:00.000-04:00

A new item has arrived in the Little Bird shop...

They are Pretty Rosette Pincushion Rings!

I was in my sewing room not too long ago, staring at the many pieces of felt I have hanging about. I was trying to think of some more fun ways to use up these lovely pieces. At the same time, I also have this terrible habit when I sew, of holding the pins in my mouth (I know, sounds gross, but it's more dangerous than gross) and the idea suddenly came to me....I needed a pretty pincushion that was as fun as it was functional!

I mean, I have a pin holder and it's wonderful. But, I really needed something that was going to be able to move about with me. It is also SUPER handy for craft nights and, honestly, just fun to wear in general.

SO, along came the idea and design and the Pretty Rosette Pincushion Ring. I have been using mine for a couple weeks now, ya know, to really make sure it was super functional as well as just fun and pretty......and ya know what?! I have no clue how I worked before without it! Seriously, I've almost (for real!) kicked the habit of the pin in the mouth deal. Okay, held the pin between my lips thing....whatever one wants to call it....

They are fun, they are functional and they make a great and whimsical gift for the crafter in your life!

More colors are to come, but for now you can find a few Pretty Rosettes over in the SHOP!

An Urgency...

2010-10-18T11:56:00.001-04:00

I have this insane urgency...this feeling in my gut. I feel it, but I cannot explain it.

Everything is about to change.

No, we don't have our travel dates yet, but we are in the "any day" moments and I just feel...well...you could almost call it "nesting".

Her room is ready, for the most part. She has all the basics she will need, plus a little.

We bought her "gotcha day" outfit. The first new items of clothing she has ever had. Bought just for her...her very own.

A few other new items (shoes, socks, tights, jammies, etc.) and some other clothes my sister has given me from my niece.

I got this feeling and I went to work, laying out everything we will need to take for her. I have it on her bed all ready. Ready for what I'm not sure....to be packed in a suitcase? Perhaps.

I know when "that call" happens, my brain will just get overloaded with all the planning....

Which is why I seem to be "nesting" and getting it all settled and ready to go now. I even have our court clothes all picked out....shoes and all....

If it's one thing I don't want to forget it's our clothes for court and her gotcha day outfit. The rest we can deal with later.

Oh, and coats...it's gonna be much chillier there than here!

Even my son feels it. I can tell in the way he is more snuggly than usual. I breathe in those hugs a little longer knowing I will be away from him the longest I ever have. Yet, at the same time going to take care of my daughter.

I do not know how I will find the balance....being away from one to be with the other. It will be only my second experience doing this. But this time? This time is different. This time she is coming home.

Songbird is coming home with her mama and papa to her forever home. Her forever family.

Yes...everything is about to change...

Sneak Peeky

2010-10-13T13:02:00.000-04:00

Here is a little glimpse of Songbird's room. It's not completely finished, but here is a little sneak peek for ya!

Little vintage shoes I found years ago at an antique store. Love them!

Songbirds bed (craigslist score!) and no worries, it may look a little plain right now, but I will be adding some throw pillows and such. The cover on the bed is actually another vintage treasure from my hubby's grandmother. It's a beautiful vintage chenille bedspread.

The fabric bunting (banner? whatchamacallit?) I made using a mix of different fabrics, including Amy Butler.

Art work I made, inspired by this fabulous gal over HERE.

Some pretty (and seriously full of glitter that I am certain we will have meandering around for the next 20years...) butterfly wings I scored at my local dollar store. They are hanging on some wooden letters/numbers that used to be in my boy's room. He said he wanted to give them to his sister and helped re-paint them. They were blue/dark blue and now they are purple/lavender.

And there you have it! A glimpse into her room. We are purposefully keeping it pretty simple. No need to overwhelm our child who truly has never had her own anything. Her own room? her own bed? her very own toys? Yeah, keeping it simple is best.

There is a table and chairs that we are working on to add to the room for impromptu tea parties and such. The table is from Ikea and the chairs were mine as a little girl. I will show and tell those soon too.

And I am not sure why, but the color of the walls IRL looks most like the birdy art work pic. The rest are a little lighter, but nonetheless, I love the color!

Raise Your Hand...

2010-09-28T14:54:00.000-04:00

Raise your hand if you are a perpetual misplace-r of measuring tapes!

No? Just me?

Well, I am the owner of three...count them, THREE measuring tapes. Ya know, the ones for measuring whilst sewing and such? Yeah. Three.

However, when I need one, I cannot find one! Pitiful isn't it? It is, just say so.

Out of three, I have no more. I have lost every single one. It's odd, because I use them so often and then I have this thing of putting them around my neck and completely forgetting they are there.

Then you know what I do? Figure out it's still there (thankfully before going to the school pick up) and put it down where I am certain I will remember to grab it and put it away.

Haha.

Yeah, I somehow never put it back where it belongs and, hence, have lost every.single.one.

SO, I finally broke down and bought a new one. I did. And then guess what? Less than two weeks later...it has vanished!

I know, the brand new one! I went to grab it to measure my niece for her super awesome (all designed on her very own) pumpkin princess costume and I could not find it!

However, while looking for something else (completely unrelated to sewing) I found one of my other ones! My only blue one. My favorite one.

Guess what I did? NO, I didn't lose it....I promptly put it where it belongs in my craft studio. Then, I moved it and forgot where I put it.

Seriously, there must be a group for this type of thing...

And the winner is....

2010-09-27T16:13:00.000-04:00

Fabulous commenter number 9, who is none other than the amazing....

Kalee!!! Who said...

I was looking for etsy shops selling items to raise money for adoption when I came across you! (I actually know I've seen things from you before, but I'm a bit scatterbrained.)

My word would be "hope." Hope that we will figure out how to make an adoption work. Hope that those trying to adopt are successful. Hope that others will hear the call. And I would love a lovely rectangle if I win!

**********************************************************

Congrats Kalee! Email me your deets and I will make your lovely rectangle "Hope" necklace for you and send it your way!

The Name Game

2010-09-23T11:32:00.000-04:00

What's in a name?!

Oh, the name game of naming one's child. Songbird (obviously not her real name, but for adoption related purposes will remain Songbird until we can officially reveal her actual name).

For our boy, naming was totally not an issue. We both agreed and that was that.

With our first referral? We loved her Russian name and decided we'd keep it.

With Songbird? We also really like her name, but no one in the States can pronounce it correctly....and it's not even that difficult really! However, my hubs LOVES her name. So does our boy. I like it...it just drives me nuts trying to explain how to correctly say it to those that ask (in person) what her name is.

So, we have compromised a little and given her a middle name that she can also go by. I love her middle name, but we also very much wanted to keep her Russian heritage with her first name. Although, oddly enough, it's not a traditional Russian name....our translator had not yet heard her name until we met her.

Anyhoo......names. I decided to post a list of girl names I like. None of which are Songbirds name, but thought I'd share some of my faves for any possible future children we might have/bring home. :)

Here they are, in no particular order:

-Heidi

-Maeve

-Lily

-Ruby

-Eva

-Larkin (I know, not technically a girl name...)

-Grace

These are just a sampling. I tend to lean towards gender specific names for boys/girls. Not because I think there is anything wrong with gender neutral names, but I have one and it has been a hassle to deal with during my lifetime! However, if people want to name their kiddos gender neutral names...go for it!

I haven't listed boy names simply because I don't really have too many of those.

So, tell me....what are some of your fave names? Boy or girl...feel free to share!

Burlap Can Be Itchy...

2010-09-21T14:54:00.001-04:00

Over the weekend I made some no-sew cafe curtains for my kitchen window. Typically, I like to sew things, but I decided to try my hand at the no-sew kinda way.

I chose burlap mainly because we have bamboo shades in our family room, but could not find any (in our budget that is) that would fit nicely in the kitchen. And since the kitchen and family room are connected in a way that would be pretty noticeable, if say I were to choose like hot pink or something for the curtains (not that I would choose that color...) so the burlap was chosen for it's ability to go nicely with the texture and colors of the bamboo.

Anyhoo...so I grabbed me some burlap (which you can find at most Joann's or Hobby Lobby's) and got enough to make two panels, which for me was just over 2yards. Then I measured and cut it to the length I wanted (making sure to add allowance for when I hemmed it up)

Then I took the amazing stitchwitchery (also found at your local craft/fabric store) and followed the manufacturers instructions for bonding it to the fabric.

(sorry for the not so focused pic...)

Then I took them, hung them up with some curtain clip dealy-bobs and folded them and placed clothes pins on them to help the fabric bend where it needed to. Otherwise you have this big, flat panel that just won't hang right.

I let them hang out like that for a couple hours...

And...voila! My burlap no-sew cafe curtains! Easy peasy right?!

And a totally random side note....burlap is itchy! But you probably already knew that. :)

What's Your Word?

2010-09-18T13:38:00.006-04:00

I've had this vintage dictionary for as long as I can remember. Since I was a little girl, I can remember looking through it and it just always being around. I remember I used it to press pretty flowers I had picked as a child. Fun times, fun memories.

It once belonged to my Gramms. Then, she gave it to me. It has since been sitting on a bookshelf, unused, for quite some time. It's old. The binding is coming undone.

As I was sitting in my family room one day, I looked over at it. I thought about how I could repurpose it. How, even though it's beginning to fall apart, I could bring new life to it's pages filled with words.

Then, I thought back to THIS post and was instantly inspired.

And then I made these:

Vintage dictionary wordy pendants. At least, that is what I am currently calling them. They will soon be available in my shop.

BUT! Before I do that, I am thinking I should give one away to one of you!

So, tell me....what's your word? What is your word for 2010 or even what you are thinking of your word being for 2011?

Just leave a comment telling me your word and if you'd like a simple square (7/8") or lovely rectangle (7/8" by 1 1/4").

For Extra Entries:

-Tweet it
-Blog it
-Become a follower (over on the right)

Then, just come back here and leave an additional comment for each! I will draw a winner next Saturday!

Loving Orphans

2010-09-16T16:20:00.004-04:00

I've been working on these little by little over the Summer and it's been hard. Every time I just start thinking about the kiddos there at Songbirds orphanage. I think about how wonderful it is that three others there (two in Songbirds group) were being adopted as well. My heart was so happy to know they too would be going to their forever home with their forever family.

But there are so many more. So many.

They need clothing, shoes, socks...underwear. Such basic things really, and yet they have to share all of it. On our first trip we took bunches of socks and underwear for the children. This trip? I am taking handmade appliqued tees.

I cannot wait to be able to take them to the kids there. The kids left behind who will, forever, be in my thoughts.

We have been told we "might be invited soon to travel". Those words both excite and terrify me. It's like preparing to have a baby...you kinda have a due date, but there is plenty to prepare for...and you are never really sure when that "date" is to happen until it does...

Meanwhile, I have plenty of sewing of appliques to do. It's my way of being able to show a little love to some very deserving orphans.

What about you? Any loving projects you have been working on?

Happy Face!

2010-09-09T13:56:00.005-04:00

I didn't get a chance to post this last week with all that was going on. Mainly with me and illness...UGH!

However, before I got food poisoning and migraines from a bad, bad place....I baked cupcakes!

Yes, it was Songbird's birthday. She turned 3. While my boy was at school, I baked the yummy vanilla cupcakes and then we decorated them when he got home from school. The theme he chose for his little sister? Happy Faces! We decided on pink and yellow frosting, with white eyes and mouths.

And here they are!

I wish I could tell you more about our Songbird and show you a picture or two, but I cannot. Not until we are official and given the go ahead to post her name/pics etc. However, I will tell you this....her smile lights up her face. Which in turn lights up ours. It took her a little bit to smile at us when we first met her, but once she warmed up to us that little smile kept popping about.

Oh how I wish I could have been able to give her one of these. I know she does not understand what a birthday is yet. And I know that in the future birthdays can/will bring up emotions and feelings in her of sadness and questions. It will break my heart to see her hurting, but I also understand it is something that she needs to process. I too would wonder about the person that gave birth to me if I were to never have known them. I think it only natural. And? We will be there for her, loving her through it all...no matter what.

So, have a cupcake will you?! I made plenty to share...so here you are! A virtual cupcake all for you. :)

Did Ya Know?!

2010-09-02T13:08:00.004-04:00

Did ya know it's National Sewing Month?! Well, it is!

Be sure to go check out the Official Home of National Sewing Month for some fun projects, contests and giveaways!

Do you have a sewing project you are working on, wanting to start or wishing you could complete?! Have you been wanting to learn to sew, but haven't begun the process of learning?! Well, take the time this month to try something new! Start small, dream big and see what happens...

OH! And please share any fun things you are working on or have plans to work on! Feel free to share a link to it as well.

Happy Sewing to you!!!

Lovin' It

2010-08-12T17:43:00.004-04:00

What I am loving today? This jelly roll fabric I picked up. It's Hunky Dory by Chez Moi for Moda Fabrics.

Love it. Love, love, LOVE it!

I plan to use it to make THIS quilt. I plan to make this quilt for Songbird.

I should probably get started on it too. But first, one more week of Summer and snuggling my boy before he heads back to school!

Do you have a sewing or quilt project you are working on?! Feel free to show&tell!

Sometimes Ya Gotta Just Let Go...

2010-07-27T14:45:00.004-04:00

We went to the beach this past weekend for a little family getaway and to celebrate my son's birthday. He wanted more than anything (anything!) to go to the beach for his birthday. So, we did!

We found a place right on the beach that fit our adoption budget. No frills or fancy, but we just wanted to hang on the beach, so we took the no frills.

It was kinda nice not having to plan, send invites and all that jazz this year. Not that I mind doing that, but having a low-key, stress free planning of a simple birthday party just can't be beat. At least this year for our family....we've had enough stress and crazy to last a while!

So, we headed to the beach. I do not have many pictures of our beach vacation. One, our goal was to spend time together and just chill.

We did.

Another goal? To boogie board with my son and build a sand castle.

We did.

These things take time and as much as I wanted to just grab the camera at so many different moments, I didn't. It was hard, but I knew that in all the running and grabbing the camera and snapping would mean losing out on the memories being made in those precious moments.
(this pic taken by my boy)

Maybe I don't have a gazillion photos to show for it, but the snapsots in my memory.....in my son's memory, are priceless.

I want him to remember this beach vacation/birthday celebration, not with his mama constantly with a camera stuck on her face attempting to capture the moments, but actually making memories by being together.....and boogie boarding.

Oh, and also? My camera battery died and we forgot more batteries to switch out with. We got some more the next day, but ya know what?! It forced me to put the camera down, relax and just let go....

It was fabulous.

Lemonade Success!

2010-07-20T15:59:00.005-04:00

It's hot outside. HOT I tell ya! So, I made a refreshing batch of lemonade!

I couldn't find the few recipes I had stashed (apparently in a location where things vanish...), so I did a random google search for a lemonade recipe...And THIS is what I found.

Naturally, Paula Deen certainly could not disappoint! And she didn't.

I will admit I can be kinda picky about my lemonade. I do not like it too sweet. I actually prefer it more tart. However, this recipe?! This one HERE....fabulous! Delish! LOVE it!

And yes, I am on my third glass...

A Gift With Some Sticky!

2010-07-08T08:10:00.000-04:00

Did I ever show you what I decided to make and give to my nephew for his 11th B-day?!

No? Well, I shall share then!

Took some of this:

Used THIS tutorial

And VOILA! A handmade gift!

The report from my sis was that he loved it. Actually, his words were" mom, did you see this?! It's so cool!".

Whew! Mission accomplished. The older he gets, the harder gift-giving can be. Good thing I have a super cool son that helped me out a TON with this. He even picked the colors of the tape. :)

Have you ever made one of these?! It's pretty fun!

Strawberries!!!

2010-07-01T08:55:00.000-04:00

We have strawberries!!!

Ok, correction. We had strawberries. I took these before we left for Russia.

Apparently, when one leaves the country and then returns and kinda forgets to water the plants like they are supposed to be, they shrivel up and go away.

Sadness.

I blame the jet lag...

Anyone got some tips on keeping strawberries going and growing?!

A Glass of Wishes

2010-06-29T07:28:00.001-04:00

My son came inside from the backyard and got a glass and put some water in it. Then he took it outside with him. When he came back in, he gave to it me and said, "here's a glass full of wishes for you mom!".

Then my heart melted.

Part 2 of A Girl Who Likes to Ride Her Bike.....and Swim and Run (sorta)

2010-06-08T23:03:00.003-04:00

Race Day.

4:30AM. Alarm. Ugh...

Thankfully I had packed all my gear the night before. I think I checked over things like 100 times too. Things I did NOT want to forget:

-Sunglasses

-Sunscreen

-hat for the run

-gum

-WATER!!!

Plenty of other things too. Like snacks....I'll get to that in a minute. :)

Meanwhile...I had planned on getting some good rest. HA! I did not know an allergy of sneezing was gonna hit late the previous afternoon and cause some serious crazy tickle-y nose and throat. The tickle-y throat caused me to awake coughing way too many times...

I got up, dressed and decided to stick to my usual oatmeal that I had been having during all my training. I would either have that or a breakfast bar. The day before they talked a little about what to eat/not to eat and mainly said stick to what you've been doing as this is NOT the time to try something new.

I took a couple bites of my oatmeal and thought I was gonna puke. To the breakfast bar I went! My sister arrived and I decided to nibble on the breakfast bar and sip some water on the way there.

We arrived a little past 5:30am...good thing too! We only had until 6:45 to set up our transition area. AND there was a looong wait for the shuttles to take us, so by the time we got into the transition area, we had less than 30min. to get things set up. Whew!

And not that it took THAT long really. Just that I had to air up my tires cause they said to let a little air out because of the heat and no one wanted to hear all the "pop, pop, pops" that happens when such high temps and bike tires are concerned.

So, I had let some air out of my tires. I made sure to bring my own pump, even though they did have people on hand to help out with that, it was highly recommended to bring your own just in case.

Well.....things were going just fine until I went to pump up the tires. My pump woud.not.work! My sister brought hers over and we still could not get it to register right. By this time we had less than 10minutes before transition was to be closed down. Once that happened too bad charlie if you forgot something! I quickly got the rest of things set up for T1 (transition 1) and grabbed my swim cap and goggles and headed over to the long line awaiting the fabulous people to put air in our bike tires....

I got through the line and had like TWO minutes to get outta there and over to where the swim started. Whew!

For those wondering, this is what I basically had to transition to the bike set out:

-Beach towel folded up to step on.
-Extra bottle of water to swish the extra gunk off my feet and a little towel to dry 'em off before putting on my socks. Came in VERY handy!
-My shoes already set out, laces ready to just tie up. Sock in the shoes so it was easy to locate and put on.
-My new Bondi band...LOVE! I usually wore a bandana under my bike helmet to catch the extra sweaty-ness from the Texas heat. Well, I discovered these at the Expo and I am never going back! They rock.
-Bike helmet of course and my bike gloves
-GUM!
-Water bottle already in holder ready to go.
-Snacks in the pouch I put on my bike to carry stuff. What kinda snacks? Extra breakfast bar, some energy beans and shot blocks. More on this to come....

OH! And something to think about, get a cheapy pair of flipflops you can just toss off before heading into the water. It also makes it a little nicer if you have to run to a port-a-potty before the swim too, just sayin'. :)

We headed over to the swim start. We had a little bit of a wait seeing how we were in the LAST swim wave. It was pretty awesome though seeing the start and all the different waves and colors of caps ahead of us. It was almost like a rainbow of sorts. Amazing seeing the survivor wave go....wow.

I have to say, by this time my nerves were pretty darn calm! Time came for us to start heading down to get in the water.

My sister looked at me and said, "Whoa! Butterflies!". I have to say, the swim, the open water swim I thought would freak me out? It didn't. Everyone around me was having all the same feelings. I was actually just in this zone and ready to start.

Then the countdown began....and we were off!

Now, let me stop here to tell you....there were some serious feet and elbows happening. Sheesh! It's probably where I ended up with the strange bruise on my arm I have absolutely no recollection of getting, but it was there when I crossed the finish. Oh well...

The swim. I survived it just fine and even finished 3 minutes before I thought I would!

Then, off to the bike!

There were some hills. Especially one giant one....at the end of the bike course! But, it went well. I met an awesome person when I had to stop and walk up one hill. A hill I didn't think was all that bad until I started going backwards as I was trying to peddle upwards....oops.

No matter, my new friend Jules and I, we buddied up for the rest of the bike. It was awesome and we were able to keep each other encouraged. I even shared some of my energy beans with her!

Speaking of, of all the different gel vs not gel and stuff, my favorite energy deal was jelly belly energy beans. They did not make me want to puke and they were easy enough to eat during it all. And heck, it was like eating candy! Made it more fun I think. :)

It was hot. I hydrated plenty while biking. Had to since it was supposed to be like 100 that day. In reality, the "feels like" temp was said to be 115 degrees....oh yeah, I felt that! Especially when it came to the run part.

Now, I knew I was going to be walking part of the run....little did I know I was to end up walking most all of the run. The cloud cover let up and it was just HOT! I knew my limits and I knew to finish I had to take it slow and steady. This was my first tri and it won't be my last. Next time? I plan to run all of it and train accordingly.

There was another hill. Again, didn't seem too bad. Another gal and I buddied up on the walk part. She was a few waves ahead of me, but had some bike trouble that caused her a pretty significant delay. She had planned to run the run too...she and I encouraged one another and helped each other get.up.that.hill.

At the top they kept saying "you're almost there, you'll see the finish line when you get here!". Haha....that hill truly seemed never ending.

But! We made it. We saw the finish and we were motived.

We got closer to the finish and I see this little person running towards me....it was my son. My son!

He ran to me, took my hand, we walked a little ways and then we ran across the finish together. That was the most awesome feeling ever!

We finished! I finished!

I am now officially a triathlete. Seems so surreal, but it is so!

Now, the countdown to Russia!

More on that to come....

A Girl Who Likes to Ride Her Bike.....and Swim and Run (sorta) Part 1

2010-06-08T19:45:00.004-04:00

I haven't really talked too terribly much about the triathlon I have been training for. The triathlon that I completed this past Sunday.

WOW!

I chose to do the Danskin Triathlon because:

1. I like that it helps to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

2. It is a super friendly first-timer triathlon.

3. It's something I could train for and do together with my sister.

4. The training required was easy enough to manage throughout the week...for the most part. Illness and little one(s) to care for can factor in some creative timing/scheduling.

I started training with my sister back in February. I was NOT a strong swimmer. I liked biking enough....I am NOT a strong runner.

Through the weeks of training, I became a stronger swimmer. I learned that I LOVE riding my bike, even for longer distances and up hills. I am still not a strong runner, but I can accept that it is just not my strongest event. Something to work on I suppose....

At first, the thought of swimming 1/2 mile did not seem too terrible. Then, I counted how many laps that was in the pool....wha?!?! I could not imagine doing 10 laps, much less 17. Then, before I knew it...18, 20, 25 laps.....I was doing more than I needed and wanted to do more!

My first bike ride past 2 miles was quite tiring! There are some great trails close by and we would go on those. They are both paved and crushed granite. Yeah, trails not paved are much harder work, but worth it for the strengthening! It's kinda like running on the beach as opposed to just road. Maybe not as bad, but close.

Running, well, as my running instructor had told me months before when I said I was determined to run the whole 5K part of it....."Don't pressure yourself too much. It's OK to walk it. A lot of people do. Just take it all in and enjoy it". She was right and I am glad I listened. I did walk...almost ALL of it! And it gave me the time I needed to just soak it all in.....and before I knew it I was a mile from becoming a triathlete! Now, that is not to say I will not work on attempting to run more of it the next time....oh yes, there will be a next time!

The Day before the race there was an Expo along with packet pick up. They had a course and race day overview and I am glad I attended that part of it because the day before?! I had a serious case of the nerves....I suddenly was wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into! Swim, Bike AND Run (for me walk)...all back to back?! But mainly, it was the transitions that made me nervous. However, after going for packet pickup, my nerves were calmed and I was excited! If you are a first timer and they have such a thing, I recommend attending it.

Then, I got emotional. Why?! Because this race was about more than just doing a triathlon. There were some amazing women involved. And several of these women? They are cancer survivors. This is just a quick pic I took at the race day overview, when they asked all the cancer survivors sitting in the audience to come up on stage. This is just a handful of these women. Wow, talk about putting it all in perspective:

I got teary-eyed. Here I was sweating about T1 and T2 and these women had survived the biggest battle of their lives!

I can do this.

After that, we had to go to the transition area and "rack our bikes". I had NO clue what I was doing, but thankfully they had covered a little of that during the course/race day overview.

I found the location for where I was to rack my bike. I counted the rows to and from and put a little marker to make it easier to find my bike in the masses. Basically it was a bright colored bandana that I tied to my bike and the pole...just enough of something that was familiar to catch my eye. Some people tied balloons, others swim noodles all spiffied up. My little bright colored bandana worked just fine for me.

Here is it, all racked up for race day:

Oh! And here is the lake I was going to get to swim in...

And don't be fooled by this pic....it makes the water look more blue, but it was gross and green.
Then, my sis and I drove back to our homes. It was time to relax, and for me? Obsess and triple check all my gear. Cause, ya know, that's what I do. And I did.

Then? I REALLY needed to get some sleep because it was gonna be an early morning! As in, we needed to be there at 5:30....

The final Q&A...for now

2010-06-08T12:33:00.001-04:00

Okay, and here are the last 2 questions!

From Anonymous who asked:

What made you want to start your blog?

Ya know, that is a very good question! Mainly just to have a place to keep all my crafty ideas and such. Then, as my business grew, it became a great place to make and share, if you will. I have really loved getting to know other bloggers in the community and just have fun creating and crafting!

AND

Last question from the lovely kraftykash who asked:

What would be your ideal way to spend your birthday this year?

Hmmm, well, I spent it with my hubby and son which is always a treat! I also got to spend some time with my sister getting a mani/pedi and some much needed girl time.

Really, I am pretty simple when it comes to my b-day. Although, I wouldn't mind spending some time at the beach just relaxing! :)

And for the bonus cuz I know you are just itching for some more "get to know more about Jaime than you ever wanted to" bonus! So here it is:

The first EVER Starbucks drink I ever had was a Mocha Velencia....oh the deliciousness of it! Unfortunately, they do not make it any longer. Too bad though, it was awesome!

A little Q&A Part 2

2010-06-03T12:20:00.000-04:00

Okay....more answers to your lovely questions!

From the fabulous Janna who asked:

1. Who taught you how to sew?

2. Which part of your triathlon are you most worried about (swim, bike or run)?

3. How did you and your husband meet?

Oh and will that pouch hold diapers? :)

To answer #1: My Gramms for the most part! The rest I kinda just gathered and had plenty of trial and error through! :)

For #2: I have to say the swim. I am not worried about the distance, but the water....I am NOT a fan of swimming in lakes. *shudder*. And I have to say I have a little anxiety about the bike, even though I LOVE riding my bike, I decided ( with my sister's suggestion) to go check out the bike route for the race....bad idea for me. I am better NOT knowing what I am in for and just bite the bullet the day of. Get the distance training in and just go for it, but my sister is opposite. She likes it all mapped out. BUT! Then, I have had three more weeks to think about some daunting hills....let's not think about it any more shall we?! ;) I know I am as ready as I can be though....and I am just gonna imagine I am in a swimming pool....not a warm icky lake....

OK....and for #3: My hubby and I actually met through mutual friends in HS. Then we starting going to the same church, became good friends and a year later started dating....been together ever since! I know, not a super exciting story by any means, but I'll take it!

Oh, and no, it won't hold diapers. It's just a little zippy pouch great for cosmetics or the like. :)

AND, for the total random bonus:

I absolutely hate doing dishes. Despise it. However, I do not mind putting them away.....I know, totally weird.

Some Q&A Time Part 1

2010-06-01T09:47:00.001-04:00

Okay, so you asked and I promised to answer!

So here goes....with just some added bonus info for fun. :)

Andrea asked:

what is something that gives you daily (or almost daily) inspiration?

Without a doubt, my son. He has inspired so much from the beginning of Little Bird. Actually, without him Little Bird wouldn't exist!

Other than my fun side-kick son, nature, textiles and different fabric prints can sometimes spark an idea that then starts morphing into more of a project of some sort.

And Craft Micahroni asked:

My question is, how close are you to bringing your little one home?

Well, closer than we were last week, but with two trips (trip one coming up SOON just next month!) and a court date, it's still going to be a while. However, we do think it will be by years end...

K, last one for the day...

eileensideways asked:

u are standing in line to buy a book, what book are you buying?

Ah, great question! Being in both the adoption mind set as well as crafting, I will need to pick two!

This one:

Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps

AND

This one:

Adopted For Life

Oh! AND...she also asked:

if u didn't know how old you were, what age would u want to be? and why?

I think 27. It was just a great year that I can remember. My little boy was then turning two and becoming quite fun! It was also a good year in learning a lot more about who I was and where I was going, both as a wife and mother. Yeah, I liked that year....and the ones after have not been too bad either! ;)

OKAY and a totally random "get to know more about Jaime than you ever wanted to" bonus:

I love chinese food. When we go to eat chinese food, I cannot eat without using chopsticks! Why? Because I grew up going at least every one of my Gramms birthdays to a chinese restaurant and when I was 7, my cousin Mark and I decided to try them out. I've never stopped using them since! And my son? He started using them at about 4yrs. :)

This Day...

2010-05-27T07:04:00.002-04:00

This day, ten years ago, I married the love of my life! A decade together...wow.

In ten years we have had

-joy
-sorrow
-laughter
-pain
-a child through birth
-mourned not being able to have more when we wanted
-learned God's incredible grace and timing truly is not our own
-the journey of bringing home a child through adoption
-learned again how God's timing is perfect, not ours
-more moments than I can recount here together in this amazing life of marriage

We have grown in ways I never knew we could...or would.

We have learned to bend and sway with the gusting winds life can sometimes bring into a marriage. We have learned to choose to love each other through it all.

I cannot imagine my life without this man. My partner in this journey.

I love you babe. I cannot wait to see what the next decade and beyond brings for us. Happy Ten Years Together!

Drum roll please......

2010-05-26T11:57:00.004-04:00

OK, it's about time I draw a winner and start answering some questions!!!

First, the winner courtesy of random.org is....

Number 6! Who happens to be Denise who asked:

"I'm new to reading your blog so you may or may not have broached this subject before. My question is: what led you to choose to adopt from Russia as opposed to other foreign countries?"

Congrats and great question! Give me a holla at kinelska(at)gmail(dot)com with your contact info so I can send your goody to you!

To answer your question:

We knew we wanted to adopt from Eastern Europe somewhere (being part of my heritage is that) and through searching actually learned about the country of Kazakhstan. We knew about Russia, of course, and even know others who have adopted from there. Just never really thought, "oh hey! let's go there". We decided on an agency and through learning the different requirements and travel expected (already having a child at home to consider as well), Russia ended up being the best fit for us all around. Travel especially seemed much better, as with the first country we considered, 6-10 weeks away from home just wasn't going to work for us.
We are really happy we decided on Russia and have enjoyed learning so much more about it than we ever knew before. The culture, language....it's been a truly joyous, and at times with the delays, a frustrating experience. But! We know it will be worth it!

So, I hope that answers your question well! If not, I am always happy and willing to "talk adoption". It's my heart and we know we will adopt again in the future, whether domestically or internationally. :)

Thank you to all who entered! I will be answering the rest of the questions starting next week! And, if you missed the giveaway, but still want to ask a question go for it! I might even do another drawing for another fun little surprise!

The Turning of Thirty Two

2010-05-13T17:44:00.005-04:00

Ya know, I don't feel like I am about to turn 32. I know it is not an old age by any means, but I just don't feel that age. The age I did love though, 27! Not sure why, but it was a pretty good year.

The past two years I have done things like 30 random things and 31 flavors or some such. This year? I am not sure. I am thinking perhaps you guys could ask me 32 questions! Not that there are necessarily 32 people even reading this here blog, but perhaps we can make it work.

So, ask me anything! It can be about adoption, how I got started sewing, who my greatest spiritual influence is....whatever!

OH! Aaannnd, for for each of you that asks a question, you will get an automatic entry into my little giveaway! What am I giving away?! Well this cute little zippy pouch! That's what.

I must say, this fabric makes me want to just live in a cute little village, or town or street just like it! Colorful houses, adorable gardens and all! How about you?

For a BONUS entry:

*tweet or facebook (or both) about this giveaway

*tell me your favorite coffee (or tea) drink

Remember to leave a separate comment for each!

**UPDATE: Extended until Monday! I will draw a random winner Tuesday!**

I will choose a random winner next Friday, May 21st! OH! and this is open too ALL, international as well. :)

Bleachy Tees!

2010-04-29T15:56:00.008-04:00

I have a new obsession. Well, it might not be new, but it sure is fun! And it's been a good distraction from all the adoption craziness going on here lately....

So, what is this new obsession? Well, it's making t-shirt designs with a bleach pen on some plain jane tees! Sound fun?

Here is how I go about it:

Take a plain tshirt (or a print one, whatever you like really)

Get your bleach pen

Like so:

I used a tshirt form from Hobby Lobby I got a while back. You could also just put freezer paper on the other side of the shirt to prevent any bleeding from the bleach pen. Make sure you don't draw the design bigger than the paper or form or you will have some bleach action on the back of the shirt too!

Now, here is where you can do one of two things: you can trace the design you want with chalk first and then trace over that with the bleach pen. OR, you can just freehand it. I did both ways and for some reason the chalk one turned out more blotchy. Not sure why, maybe I will test it out again to see if maybe it was just a fluke. However, do what works best for you. :)

Monster Surfing

Fun Robot

Then, I let it sit for approx. an hour on the shirt. Basically make sure the color is actually changing on the shirt where the bleach pen is. Then, pop it in the wash and then dry and VOILA!

Fun new and super personalized t-shirt!!!

Now, I just need to stop finding tshirts to do this to. Before I know it all my son's t-shirts will be bleachy designed!

Today

2010-04-16T12:37:00.003-04:00

Ahhhh.....I feel like I can breath again.

And this is a good thing compared to yesterday. Yesterday felt like a nightmare. A horrible, no good, very bad nightmare. The nightmare, unfortunately, isn't over, but I am still hopeful. And not a false sense of "everything is just gonna be great and fine and OK!", but just a peace. A peace that truly surpasses all understanding.

I went back to the fabric store (with coupon in hand!) to get the other fabric I found yesterday. Funny thing, I ended up choosing another one! I liked it better. I even texted the pic to my hubby to see what he thought. I love my iphone. And guess what? It was ON SALE! I didn't even need my coupon. Bonus. Aaand...it didn't rain buckets on me! The sky was dark, but just tiny drops and I did not get drenched walking to my car.

I also love that I feel mostly me again! I know that might sound completely odd to some, but if you know me in real life, you know I am a pretty positive person who is typically pretty happy and excited for others and their good news. Yesterday though? That me was buried under potential grief and pain that was just so dark. I did not like being there in that dark place. It's just not me.

But sometimes I think we all need to just be let to be mad. To be angry and hurt and let it come out. To be able to express it and be OK with not wanting to talk or be reminded of the pain that was bearing down so hard on me yesterday. The fear and pain are still there, but I am able to let it go and let a peace wash over me. I am able to breath today.

I was also able to see cute little girl stuff and not burst into a mess of tears. That is a super improvement over yesterday! I cannot promise I won't tear up on occasion, but ahhh. Breathing feels good.

It feels good to feel more like me again.

I hope no matter what your day is like, that you are able to breath and have a peace too.

Happy Weekend and many Blessings to you!

My Day

2010-04-15T17:21:00.003-04:00

Wow. What.a.day it's been today.

I awoke to an email from a well meaning friend saying how sorry she was about what she had heard on the news about Russia and adoptions to the US. Wha?!

I thought I was gonna faint when I only was able to get a tidbit of info from the media at that time, which did say indeed Russia suspended things. I thought my heart was going to break into millions of pieces.

Then I decided I needed to distract myself and was not going to think about it (ha!) until I had heard from our agency. We did and there were no confirmed reports saying there was a suspension, but obviously things are still a little shaky.

Basically we are still in limbo. Not so fun.

I decided I would head out and go to the fabric store to find a specific fabric I was looking for to make a dress. For me. I cannot remember the last time I actually made me something. Hmmm.

So to Starbucks I went and then the fabric store. Priorities ya know. Can't think right without a little caffeine!

So, I found what I was looking for. Two things actually.

Aaaand I had forgotten my coupon!!! Ugh.

So I chose one and decided to go back for the other one later... WITH my coupon.

Then I decided to browse about at some patterns, minding NOT to happen upon cute little girl clothes lest I burst into tears...

SO, the lady next to me starts up a conversation about how her daughter is having a baby and is looking at lots of little bitty things and telling me all about her plans.

Now, I am usually quite a pleasant and nice person and am happy for others and their happy news. But today? Today I just wanted to NOT think about itty bitty cute things. I just wanted to be and look at patterns and get my fabric and not talk about cute little itty bitty things.

Then, the other two ladies on the other side of me were talking and chatting about what? Cute little girl things and looking at cute little girl patterns....right.next.to.me.

Again, I am all for it, but really?! Seriously?! I had to get outta there...I was surrounded and trying to not burst into an emotional mess of tears.

So, off I went to pay for things and get to the car, so I could make it home in time to meet the bus for my little monkey boy.

And what happens when I leave? It starts pouring rain on me as I started walking to my car.....poured. I got wet.

But ya know what? Starbucks got my coffee right. Yay! I found the fabric I was looking for. Double Yay! Then, I got to come home and get a hug from my boy as he came off the bus. And that is wonderfulness.

So, my world is a little emotional right now and it kinda really sucks. A lot. But, the sky is not falling and there is still hope that the US and Russia will work things out to where we, and many others, can go and meet and bring home our children.

I miss our daughter. I hate the thought of her being left in an orphanage to grow up. It's unbearable to think of what might happen if she is. I already love this little girl so, so much. I don't know what will happen, but I know I will not stop praying.

Blessings and I hope I have better news in the adoption world next week! Meanwhile, I will try to get some fun crafty posts ready to post next week. It's a good distraction for me....

Toodles!

Don't Sneeze!!!

2010-04-13T15:01:00.006-04:00

See these those little brownish green squiggly things up in this tree with the new brighter green leaves growing?

Those little things and the stuff it brings causes quite a bit of craziness with allergies around here. Pollen. Oak pollen. Ick.

It leaves a film of green and yellow all over everything. Kinda like this. See the coating of the stuff? That is not a dirty grill, it's just been coated with green ick from the trees. You could sweep and clean all day and it's just gonna be there again the next day.

And those squiggly things fall off the trees and all over EVERYTHING too, like the patio, the car, in the pool. Oh, and ones hair.

Yes, it is ever so lovely to be sitting at Starbucks with some girlfriends and one of them point out that there is something in your hair. And it's not your new hairband or anything relatively pretty. Nope, it's the oak stuff.

What's worse, my sister and I were out cycling the other day and as we were loading the bikes back on the bike rack, we turned to see a cloud of green ick blowing off the tops of the trees. For fellow LOST fans, I am serious when I say it looked like smokie, just green.

I am not sure why it has caught my attention so much this year. We have it every year, but this year just seems to be worse somehow. When I was pregnant, it was awful. I certainly noticed it then because I could not go outside without sneezing.

This year, it is not causing so much sneezing, but the allergies are causing some headache issues it seems with my boy. Makes me sad.

I love Spring and all, but I could sure do without the green smokie and brown squiggly things. Yuck.

Anything in your neck of the woods that causes major allergies? If not, where do you live, I want to come visit!

A Little Bit of Happy

2010-04-08T11:57:00.009-04:00

Don't you just love it when you happen upon a serious happy find when you're not expecting to?! Me too!

I went to Joanns last night. I usually love going to fabric stores and just meandering about for a moment, but last night I was just intending to go for some much needed embroidery floss, 'cause I was out of the colors I needed!

So, off I went.

I got my floss and decided to meander a bit. Looked for some lace applique stuff (another project hopefully I can share about soon) but could not find any without sequins and such. Oh well. So then I rounded another corner and happened upon a sample sale!

These!

Ya know all those fabric samples they have for the decor fabric and such? Yeah, those! I have heard they occasionally sell them when certain fabrics have been discontinued, however, I have NEVER managed to find when that "time" is! There wasn't too much to choose from, but what I did find will work just nicely for some pillows I want to make for the Chickadee's bed.

And check out the price tag!

Woohoo! Two pillows (I already have the pillow forms) for $4 each! Very adoption budget friendly. And they will be completely one of a kind and blend with the colors of her room just nicely. Not too matchy matchy. The bedspread is actually a vintage creamy white chenille that belonged to my hubby's grandmother. It's in great condition and we always thought if we had a girl someday, we use it in her room. And if all keeps going well, then we shall! (more on that over HERE)

So, next week on the agenda is pillow making! And since they are already basically cut and ready to sew, they should come together in a snap!

Have you ever used these samples for such things? I would love to know what projects others have made with them!

Remember These?

2010-03-18T12:26:00.000-04:00

I have been meaning to give an update for like, oh, ever on this little system!

It's been well over a year now since I first put this fun, easy and super simple for the kiddo system in place and I just had to give an update that it is STILL going strong! I cannot tell you what a breeze it makes for the morning routine of getting dressed and ready. My child can even get his own clothes together and put them in place for the week, so there is no wondering "what to wear" when getting up and dressed in the wee hours of the morning.

Oh and this? This too makes a HUGE difference in the chaos that could ensue without it.

I wanted to get this going because my son does so much better when he has a "visual" to see what is up next to do without having to ask or be told. However, now that he is getting a little more "big kid" and has those sight words down and, thankfully, the routine down, I am going to make it a bit more simplified for him and maybe add a few different "responsibilities". Nothing major, but keeping it interesting and still maintaining that visual for him to know what/when/done and, of course, age appropriate.

What about you? What systems or things do you have in place to help make school mornings a little less chaotic?!

Cupcake Monday

2010-03-15T16:29:00.005-04:00

Okay, not every Monday is a cupcake Monday, but when it's Spring Break and there is time for baking....we made cupcakes! Actually, it was just me (my boy was visiting his Nana), so I made them. The boy would really only be interested in the icing anyway....

So, for this Monday cupcake baking I made THESE!!! Go quick and check them out and get the recipe. SO delish looking aren't they?!

Mine did not come out nearly as pretty, but that's OK. I made work what was on hand. Like, I had no parchment paper, so I used plain old cupcake liners from the grocery store. They were also not the mini size, so I made the regular cupcake size.

These truly were super simple to make. AND so, so yummy! The icing was simple enough to make as well. Although, I have to say my powdered sugar decided to really live up to the powder part of it's name and go all over my kitchen counter. Probably more so because I don't have any fancy mixer and used just my non-fancy (and much loved) pyrex glass bowl. :)

I also didn't realize I forgot the orange zest in the cupcake batter until I had already baked them, but they still tasted delish, so no worries here.

Here are the finished lovelies

If I could I would so pass one out to each one of you that stops in for a visit here at my little blog! We can pretend though, yes?! Yes, so take one and enjoy!

Happy Monday!!!

The Thread That Wasn't

2010-03-04T15:10:00.003-05:00

So, I needed to sew some patches on my boy's TaeKwonDo uniform. I have used invisible thread (yes, there is such a thing) before for similar things in the past and thought it would be super handy to use for this! Problem is, I didn't have any on hand. So, to the fabric store I headed. I needed a few other supplies anyway.

They had the invisible thread that I needed. I bought it and went on my way.

Somehow between getting it home, thinking I put it up and the spool holder with all my other thread, and the several days that passed before I got around to actually sewing them on, it disappeared. I have no clue where it disappeared to, but I could NOT find it ANYWHERE.

So, today, I went back to the store and grabbed some more.

I got home, swear I took it out of the bag and set it down right next to my sewing machine and when I went to use it to thread the machine....it.was.GONE! I am not kidding. I seriously thought I had lost my mind. I searched all over my craft studio...everywhere! It was just gone. Disappeared again. I know it's called invisible thread, but come on! It's not actually invisible. I thought maybe it fell off the sewing table, on the floor, but no. It's was just gone.

So what's a gal to do?! I sat down and cried. Just kidding (no seriously I did...it was awful). Then, I took a break and went and grabbed a piece of my Dove dark chocolate from the pantry. Chocolate always helps, right?!

So, I sat and enjoyed my little chocolate moment. Then, I pulled on my big girl pants and went back in that studio and was bound and determined to NOT be beat by this.

I took a long hard look at my thread and just made it work with what I had. There was black on the outside of the patch and the uniform is white, so black for the top thread and white for the bobbin.

I made it work. I refused to be beaten by disappearing invisible thread darn it!

And typing disappearing invisible thread just made me giggle....

SO there ya have it. Patches are on and I am happy I made it work. However, I am not happy that I bought two spools of thread and have nothing to show for it. Bummer.

What crazy sewing mishaps have you had lately?! Or non-sewing mishaps?

March...wow!

2010-03-01T09:44:00.004-05:00

March, how quickly you came! I was enjoying the lull of January and, well, as much as I usually enjoy February...this year? It was full of sickness of both myself and my child.

But March?! March is full of promise. As a matter of fact, March is when my little girl in Russia has a birthday. A birthday I just might get to celebrate with her! Well, not in the traditional sense, since she really doesn't even quite know (or has ever had) a birthday party.

However.....we are expecting to travel pretty dern close to the actual date of her birthday!!! Wouldn't that be super crazy awesome?! Yes, yes it would.

So, March, let's keep with this excitement on your very first day. There is so much promise and the month is full of possibilities. I think I just want to hang today and soak it all in and enjoy it for the time being.

Then? Well, then I have to get busy making a very special little doll to take on our trip. Ah, joyousness.

Giveaway Details....ish

2010-02-27T16:23:00.004-05:00

Thank to all who responded to my post HERE not too long ago. I am still trying to get it all organized and a date set. I do not have an exact date it will start, but it will be in April!

So, between now and then if you are willing to donate an item(s) just let me know!

I will have a few items myself that I have been working on like this Matryoshka Doll:

There will be three of these sweet matryoshka dolls, all hand embroidered that I will have available for the Giveaway. Oh, and this will be open to ALL, so international entries are welcome too!

Thankfully, amazingly, God has been so good and we were able to raise funds through some garage sales and such to keep this adoption ship afloat. I know there is still more, and I hope this will be a great way to not only help us bring our daughter home, but also to help spread the word about adoption and the many, many children in need every single day. Even if not by being placed with a forever family, there are still ways to help them.

Thank you all for your time and encouragement. Know I appreciate you and am excited to get this underway!

And if you'd like to read more about our adoption journey, you can go HERE!

Blessings to you!

A Little Crazy Bit of Weather

2010-02-25T21:35:00.005-05:00

SO, those not in Texas might laugh, especially those from much colder climates that get buckets of snow, but here? Here snow like this hasn't happened in our part of the state since I was (literally) my son's age.

You might hear that TX weather can be strange and change rapidly, but let's just take a tour of this weeks weather to show just how crazy it can be:

Sunday:

it was in the 70's and we were wearing flip flops!

By Tuesday this started happening:

And it kept coming....big fluffy white snow flakes....almost all day long.

We had lotza' fun and built a pitiful snowman:

See? pitiful. I have no snowman building skilz...I blame it on being a native Central Texan. Truthfully, snow like this? It just does not happen often. Clearly.

So, not but two days later? It's sunny and in the 60's and the snow is almost a distant memory. Well, except for the snowman our neighbors built in their front yard, with dead grass included and all! Making it a true Texas snowman. Because, you see, we don't get that much snow and the grass just rolls on into the snow as one tries to make a snowman. Now, too bad I don't have a picture of that darn snowman! It's just down the street...it's still there too! Maybe tomorrow....

So you can see, weather here is a bit nuts. There is the saying "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute, it'll change". How true it is....

Tell me, what is super crazy weather where you are from?

Shake It Photo

2010-02-10T16:27:00.005-05:00

So, the past two days my boy has been home sick with both strep and some asthma issues we are trying to get under control. Not too much fun that's for sure.

However, apparently the meds started to kick in and he has started feeling much, much better, thankfully. Meanwhile, we decided to play with my new iPhone app called shaktitphoto. Ya know, the old polaroids?! Yeah....fun times! I think what was more fun than taking the pics and letting him shake them, was trying to explain what a polaroid camera was....

(the one I took of him....you'd never know he was sick would ya?! )

He then quickly decided he really, really wanted a camera like that and could we look for one?! So, we checked out ebay and actually found some in great shape and at a price we could actually consider. Then, I looked up the film and what it would cost....holy moly! The one deal I found cost over $30 for about 20 photos. Well, anyone with kids that has let them use their camera once or twice knows how fast 20 flashes of the camera can go!!!

(one the boy took of me....with no make-up. Keepin' it real here.)

Sooo, we decided to let that go and just continue to use the app.

I love my phone. Now, if Apple could just make a kid-friendly and affordable version for younger kids, so that my phone doesn't take a chance of getting tossed across the room when someone is "shaking it"!

Do you have a favorite app? Have you used this one? Or, do you have an old polaroid you just LOVE?!

A Bit of Random and Fun...

2010-02-05T23:13:00.004-05:00

So, let's lighten the mood after my last super emotional post, shall we?! I know this is supposed to be my "happy little craft" blog , but I also like to keep it real, as happy and blessed as my life truly is, sometimes we (meaning me here) need to be a little more transparent. I think it's all apart of my WORD this year too....another way to grow. :)

Anyhoo.....

I went to IKEA tonight with the hubby and son. Right after we went to Fuddruckers where my son got to have a free kids meal because he earned it by reading six books. Fun stuff. I had a buffalo burger and I have to say it wasn't all that great. And I have actually had buffalo burgers before and rather enjoyed them, just something wasn't quite right with this one. However, it was a fun family time.

Then we trekked over to IKEA where the boy LOVES to go just so he can go play while we browse....it's almost like a mini one hour date I tell ya!

It was funny and frustrating. What I went there for was NOT there. NO where to be found. But, the other two things I wanted to look at were, one I bought (spent a whopping $5) and the other I liked seeing in person to purchase at a later date for the Chickadee.

Then, when we arrived home, tucked the boy into bed and settled in for a little blog reading, I found this:

I cannot remember which blog it was now, but I thought it was pretty funny since I had JUST been to IKEA. Fun I say.

So, check it out! What's your IKEA name?! Go here to find out.

Confession...

2010-02-03T14:34:00.002-05:00

Confession:

For weeks.....months, to be honest, I have been thinking of different ways to raise funds to bring our child home from Russia. Other than just my own Etsy shop that is.

However, I have not had the nerve to ask. Why? I'm not sure. It's hard for me to ask for help and truth be told, this is just one little orphan. One VERY important little orphan to me, but to others?

There is so much hurt and so many orphans in the world. This little one is just one of over 147 million. Million!

I so wish I was able to do more for more children, but I know this child is the one God wants us to take care of right now. We know we will adopt again, but until then, this one needs us. This child needs to come to her forever home and receive the love and care she so greatly needs. And once that is done, we know we will do what we can for others, even if it's small donations, we will do something.

Just as I was getting up the nerve to ask the horrific tragedy in Haiti happened. I could not think to take away from such a cause as Haiti. And it's a cause that will continue to need assistance for some time. I cried at the loss, the children and the many more orphans that there are now.

And as much light has been brought to the needs of the orphans there, again, they are just a small percentage of the many million around the entire world that are in need every.single.day.

So much hurt. So much need. How can we help them all?! I know I cannot help every single child of the 147 million orphans out there, but I can and will help this one. She needs her Mama. Her Mama needs to hold her and help her.

How very much I want to be able to tell you about her, but can't. I would love to tell you her name, show you a picture and tell you all we currently know, but I cannot legally do so. And I will respect the wishes of her birth country. After all, there are many scary people in the world. One thing I can tell you is that she is getting to an age that she will be transferred to an older orphanage. She also has some medical needs that we cannot help until we get her home.

And I will make another confession: We cannot take another step forward without more fundraising. I have cried many tears and said many a prayer. I know He can do it. I know He will do it.

He has given me a talent with sewing and I will continue to use it. However, my hands can only sew at a speed that is not nearly quick enough to raise the funds alone. He has Blessed me with ideas that I have been too fearful to mention. Why? Because as mentioned, there is just so much hurt and so much need. How can I ask for just this one?

But, I am. I am asking the crafting community if you would be willing to help. Would you be willing to take the time to donate an item to be put in a raffle/giveaway to help bring this one child home?

If you cannot sew/craft, would you be willing to get the word out about it? I do not have all the specifics as of yet, but I will start accepting donations as soon as they are able to get here. Just contact me via email or leave a comment and I will get back with you.

Wow. I actually just typed all that! It's hard to stick a neck out and hope it will work. I know He is faithful and He will get us to our little girl and bring her home. Now, I will go and hopefully not bite all my fingernails off in worry.....confessions #3: I am a horrible worry wort!

And if you made it this far in reading this novel, I Thank You!!! Please, help get the word out and if you feel you would like to give, just contact me at kinelska(at)gmail(dot)com.

Again, thank you.

Heartache for Haiti

2010-01-16T14:13:00.007-05:00

It has taken me time to grasp the heartache that has happened to Haiti. I don't know if I can ever fully grasp it, it hurts my heart to see such destruction. The people....

You hear the stories, you see the pictures and you just sit and feel helpless, wondering how in the world can I help? What can I possibly do that could bring some kind of relief to these precious people? And then I remember, God gave me a talent for sewing.

So, I know it is not much, but in an effort to help I am donating 50% of all Little Bird Coffee Cuff sales to the Hands&Feet Project. If you do not know much about this project, please check them out. It's an amazing thing they are doing.

Please help spread the word. 50% of All custom cuff and in shop cuff sales will be donated to help Haiti.

Thank you and God Bless.

I stopped thinking and just started doing...

2010-01-11T07:59:00.000-05:00

So, this is a little peak at my son's quilt before it was finished. I had picked out, cut out and thought about it for weeks! It could even be months to be completely honest.

It is my first official quilt. Never done this before, but my son had been asking for one and I was determined to make it happen! He wanted it to be a total surprise, "don't tell me anything about it mom, okay? Surprise me!", is what he said.

SO that is what I set out to do. But, I tend to over think things. All.the.time. Ask any close family member of mine, they will totally back me up on this, especially my sister. :)

I really didn't want to screw this up. The fabric had been bought and there was no more like it at the store. None. So, I had to make it work with what I had. I think it paralyzed me for a bit. I would just stare at it wondering how to place it, piece it and the like. Almost too afraid to do anything with it.

Then one day I stopped staring at it. I just started doing! I just relaxed and started laying the pieces out one by one, just kinda following my own little rhythm. It was nice. It was almost therapy like. And before I knew it, I was done. Well, laying it out anyway. Then I started sewing and ironing and sewing some more.....it was awesome!

And voila! FInished it. Just in time for Christmas morning. Whew. Well, finished except for the hand binding of the binding part....but it was all good with the child. He LOVES it! Makes this mama happy.

I am determined this year to set out on another quilt adventure. For our daughter in Russia this time. Hopefully it won't take quite as long....

So, how about you, any paralyzing sewing projects you tend to over think? Or did over think and then just got over it? Do share!

I Heart Mail!

2010-01-08T17:14:00.007-05:00

Looky what the post lady brought me today!!!

A sweet little package from a giveaway I won. I NEVER win things! This is very exciting...

Inside the package was this little package:

And inside that little package were these adorable goodies!

My favorite being these precious dolls, for OBVIOUS reasons. :)

Thank You Clara!

Grow

2010-01-01T16:12:00.002-05:00

It's a New Year and the possibilities are endless!

I read a post by Ali and I love what she said about "choosing your word". She writes: "Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life."

That is what I am doing. Choosing my word.

G R O W.

It is a word that encompasses many things for me. I want to G R O W as a person...

in my Faith

in my relationship with Jesus

as a wife to my husband

as a mother

in my Trust

in my capacity to love, to be patient...

in strength to accept the challenge of this year. Of this new decade.

in being creative and letting things just be sometimes.

I want to G R O W.

So, with this New Year I am setting out with this new word. So many possibilities....

How about you? Do you have your word?

December, slow down!

2009-12-21T11:54:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe how fast this month is going! School parties, church parties, get togethers with friends and family. It's all wonderful, but oh so busy!

But, the last orders have shipped, the handmade gifts almost finished and winter break for school has begun. Which, for this mama means lots of snuggling, hot chocolate drinking and gingerbread house making. Oh, and PJ day. We decided there is nothing, absolutely nothing, on the agenda for today other than snuggles and relaxing. Well, and a little laundry, cause clean clothes are needed.

Meanwhile, I intend to thoroughly enjoy this week with my husband and child. Take it easy (ish) and just soak it all up and savor every moment. I have a feeling the beginning of the new year will bring plenty of change to our family. A change we all look forward to, but just taking a snapshot of what *now* is and tucking it away to reflect on later. That is what I am doing this week.

So, I may not be back here until after the first of the year. Hopefully with some new goodies in the shop and fun Christmas stories to tell. For now though, there is a little boy awaiting some mama time!

Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays!!!

Oh, and if you have a chance go check out this iPod Nano Giveaway! Help bring this forever family one step closer. Hurry before it ends! And be sure to spread the word!

Here to There: An Adoption Journey