Ho-Ho-Ho Merry Giveaway

We reached 255 sales over night last night and now I'm feeling jolly. I'm feeling like giving something away! So, here's the deal, you have until 8pm on Monday to enter the giveaway. Monday night I'll compile the entries and let random.com work it's magic and then will announce the winner on Tuesday.

How do I enter?
Good question! You can enter up to four times!
1) Comment on this blog post.
2) Share this blog post on Facebook (and comment that you've shared it).
3) Like the Facebook status announcing the giveaway.
4) Share the Facebook status announcing the giveaway.

What are we winning exactly?
Another excellent question! Seeing as it is December and lots of people still need to get their Christmas pics taken (*ahem* points finger firmly at self), we are playing for a super soft Santa Hat. I love this Santa Hat. It's soft and comfy, and the rich red color is beautiful in photographs.

Wanna see one? Of course you do!

Let the contesting begin!

Lowered Messpectations

Recently the toddlers discovered the joys of finger paint. Of course, I know it was going to get messy. Here is the messpectation set by Crayola:

Unrealistically low, no? I knew it was going to be messier than that! But, we started off in pretty clean territory.

Then a certain little princess who shall remain nameless decided to take things up a notch...

Why, yes, she IS rubbing red pain into her hair like shampoo...

The boy? Not so much...

He thought he wanted to do a hand print, until the paint was on his hand, then he just wanted it off.

I talked him into doing a hand print anyway.

What was our little mess maker up to?

Her shoulders. She was up to her shoulders in paint.

Then she decided to make a hand print on the boy:

Game Over

And we had seconds to make it to the tub before reaching Defcon 4.

National Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day

Today is National Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day. For those of you to whom this is a significant day, I extend my thoughts and blessings.

In memory of my eight angels. Mommy loves you sweet ones.

The Long Awaited Birthday Pics

So, maybe "long awaited" is assuming a bit much... But, I did promise birthday pics before Christmas.

I took the whole "handmade" thing as a challenge. So, all of the decorations are Mama Made.

I highly recommend investing in some sort of machine which cuts letters for you if you are going to make more than one of these. Hand cutting those letters with an exacto knife was an exercise in patience.

Even the cake was Mama Made. The boy LURVED it. The night before his party he wanted to stand in front of the open fridge and stare at it for like an hour.

Dear Pinterest: Thank you!

My nephew kept eating Elmo's mouth as soon as I'd refill it. So, imagine blueberries where the mouth should be...

This is the one thing I ordered for the party. Crafts by Jillian did an excellent job and totally rocked socks on value and fast shipping.

I dread the day that the boy gets big enough to not want 100 pom-pom's at his birthday.

Daddy and the birthday boy wolfing down some lunch.

The Boy and his Sissy loved Elmo.

Paw Paw made sure to give the kidlets a b-ball lesson before he left for work. Why, yes! Those are my decorations wrapped around their heads!

Boob Beanie Origins

I thought with it being October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, it would be a fitting time to talk about where the Boob Beanie came from. I'd love to tell you that I'm just all creative and came up with the idea all on my own, but the truth is I didn't. One of my friends knew about the issues I was having with a couple of family members regarding breastfeeding and sent me this cartoon to cheer me up:

I found it to be both hilarious and appropriate to my situation. (For the record, I am pro you feeding your kids in whatever way works best for your family. I chose to breastfeed my son, and if we ever have another live baby I'll probably choose it again. I support mother's rights to nurse in public. Also, I support a mother's right to formula feed. Judgement is so not my thing.) Also, I was inspired by it to make a little Boob Beanie for my little boobie monster.

I went searching for a pattern, but couldn't find one... so, I made one! I'm very crafty, you know.

One trip to Michael's and four hours later, a boobie was born! The pattern has changed a little since that early prototype, but not much. Overall I've been making pretty much the same boob for two years, now. It was my first Baby Hooked Boutique listing.

Click Here to see in the shop

Personally, I've never taken Graham out in public wearing one, but I think we might all sport one at a nursing or Breast Cancer awareness rally. What about you? Would you take your LO out in a Boob Beanie? Would  you use it while nursing in public?

Check out what's for sale in the shop right now!

Newborn Photography Ideas

Confession: I may or may not have decided to turn my hobby into a business because I like looking at pictures of babies so much…

In that vein, I present: Adorable Photo’s of Babies!

As much as I love hats and the like (duh!), sometimes, less is more…


Daddy in uniform. I’ve seen similar setups with military uniforms.


I love these new gauzy swaddles. By “new” I mean “that I didn’t think of when Graham was little and swaddle-able.”


I did a similar collage for Graham. Turns out professionals do a better job…


OK, ya’ll, is there anything cuter than a pom-pom on a bootie?

Funny Hooker

It occurs to me that I haven't posted in a while (school is back in session, holla!) and I owe you guys some birthday party photo's. But, first, I must share some hooker humor with you!

I usually am not such a fan of these things, but this one got me... Especially the kids and husband ones.

I am knitting challenged. Anything you see "knitted" by me was done with a crochet hook. Will tell you more about this later gator.

And lastly, a crochet sex joke...

Lazy Summer Day

I had planned to do a post today with lots of pictures of the *gasp* fall lines I’m working on. Fall! Do you know Michael’s already has some Christmas out? One of the things I have the most trouble adjusting to in this business is getting the products made and listed far enough out. It feels so weird to make sun hats in the snow and pumpkins by the pool!

 

But… I shant be posting all of those pics (today), because we are having a super sweet afternoon. All three littles are asleep, the big is at camp, the dishes are done, dinner is in the crock pot and things are just chill around here today. So, I’m hooking a booby and making some fall hats and will work on photography tomorrow

 

What are you up to this super hot afternoon?

Turning Two

My “baby” is turning two in exactly two months (well, two months and two days…). Those of you who know the history of how Graham came to be know that he is very likely to be my only baby. So, we kind of go all out for birthdays. His first birthday was an all out Cat in the Hat extravaganza. Because he loves that book.

 

This year, though, he is Elmo crazy. Well, Sesame Street crazy, really. He LOVES Sesame Street. Obviously, he must have a big ol’ Sesame Street blow out (which I started planning on Pinterest like 10 months ago)! Being an Etsian myself, I’m also scoping Etsy for birthday party must-haves.

So, here is a list of the Top 5 Sesame Street Birthday Party Must-Haves:

1. DIY Printables: Includes invites, the banner, favor boxes, party hats and cupcake liners. All in PDF so you can print at home. 
2. Character Pom-Poms: You may have noticed that I went a little pom-pom cray-cray with the last party. Expect that trend to continue. Especially with these cuties on the market.
3. Jumbo Confetti: Because nothing says mess like letting toddlers play with little bits of paper! But, seriously, I love me some confetti on the food table. It’s one of those little things that just steps the party up a notch.
4. Party Favor Fish Bowls: You could load them up with traditional favors… but, you know, “Elmo loves his goldfish.” 
5. A special shirt for the birthday baby!

As much as I am NOT in a hurry for this little man to grow up, I do LOVE planning his parties.