Thankful

Everyday I am thankful for the family I have and people I get to meet. 

This past week the kids and I got to come down to Moreno Valley and spend some much welcomed time with the grandparents. Actually Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Papa Great-Grandma, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa. And all the Uncles and Aunts and Great Uncles and Aunts. 

This makes me thankful.

I have had the opportunity to create and bounce ideas off my mom. She started my education in crafting and has nurtured my interest. I love getting to share what I am doing and see what she has going on. Being 5 hours away normally we Skype all we can but it is not the same. 

This makes me thankful.

This week a friend of my mother-in-laws found out that her granddaughter, Micaela has leukemia. She is almost two and it was a total surprise. This makes me hug my babies and thank God they are healthy. 

This makes me thankful. 

Because they have started Chemo, Micaela will starting loosing her hair. Her Grandma asked me to if I could make her a hat since it is getting cold. It was an honor to be asked and my pleasure to provide some comfort to a brave little girl and take part in her experience. 

This makes me thankful. 

Here is a few shots of Micaela's hat and leg warmers. Purple Polar Fleece with a few clips to change out depending on her style mood for the day. When designing this hat I wanted to make it possible for her to use the clips after she is finished with Chemo and her hair comes back in.

 

I have had the pattern sitting in my craft room and it was fun to get to work on it with my mom and can't wait to see little Micaela in it.

We will keep her in our prayers and are thankful for each day.

Belly Laughs and Big Balls

I can't believe that it is August already! Time really has flown. Here's what the kids has been up too!

Marty, 2 years, 3 months, 30lbs and 3ft 1/2 inches

 

 Michaela 3 months, 3 weeks

Can't get enough of that giggle!!! Exciting times coming soon, travel and family and fun. 

Love XOXO

These Ties aren't just for the Boardroom Anymore!

As a busy mommy of two, the majority of my inspiration to create comes from my kids. Hanging out with them keeps me sane. Well, sometimes it drives me to the crazy house, but then again that is our house. One of the new items I have created for my shop are shirts and onesies with great little ties on them. Perfect for any day. Marty has a few and get very excited to wear them. He tends to wear them around the house and out for errands. When I first made them for him he wore it to bed a few nights in a row.

This is not so odd an occurrence at the Arthur Place as he has in the past worn his Patriots Jersey for a week. Refusing to take it off to bathe unless it was in the same room. Funny, when and where he tries to exert control over his world. 

Most recently when he wore his tie shirt, I remembered the camera. He is just so expressive and busy that I felt we must document the adventures in his tie shirt. So as everyone knows a tie goes with anything. Shorts, Froggie Goggles, a Construction Helmet, Flip Flops and Safety Glasses. And once your properly dressed you must carry the appropriate tools like your weed whacker. Your head lamp must also be on!

                                                                                

I love the faces he makes and had fun mowing the backyard (with the bubble mower of course) while he weed whacked.

Michaela is doing great as well! She will be 3 months old in just a few days, which I can't believe. I will be posting pictures of her soon.

Getting Crafty

Now that Michaela is here I get so excited to get her dressed everyday. I love having a little man running around but no one can deny the clothes for little girls are just too much. As a result of all the awesomely adorable outfits she has, I am driven to create for her. This was also true after Marty but instead of crafting for him, I felt compelled to share my crafts with other moms. As I am again nursing I continue to so.

I am now creating some pretty darling items for Michaela to wear and hope to soon share them with others. Here is just a taste of what has been coming out of our back room...

Yellow Fleece Flower with Beaded Center

Neon Fleece Butterfly

Bubble Boy Tie
(Not for Michaela, looking for Baby Boy to give it a go!)


I took the bottom of an old pair of Levis (thank you 2 kids for hips) and turned it into this adorable skirt.

Modeling I kept a bunch of Marty's clothes, but these shorts were just too manly for our little miss so...

Before
After

The skirts were super simple to make and the onesies have stood the washing test. Michaela will be modeling them soon! It has been great to get the creative juices flowing again.

Our home has been benefiting as well, I finally did the curtain for our french door in the Master and am currently working out some faux Roman Shades for our Kitchen and Living Room.

Photo shoots and Camping

Michaela had her 2 month check-up yesterday. She is 10 lbs, 10 oz and 21 1/4 inches tall, eating like a champ and growing like a weed. Now that she is spending more time awake Marty and she are hanging out and interacting.

Sometimes when she is sitting in her swing watching Marty go running by you can hear her laugh followed by a huge smile. It makes my heart so full of emotion, I can't believe that we are responsible for such beauty.

Since we having been getting more awake time I was able to get some great pictures of Michaela. Marty is also great to take pictures of so we have gotten some great shots of him as well. I have a feeling we will be doing this many more times.

This summer has been filled with activity already. George and Marty spent one night camping in the backyard. Tent, sleeping bags, S'mores and all. Marty had a blast and George survived with only minor aches.

Soccer Skills

Check out Marty's mad soccer skills

Almost 2 months and growing

Michaela is growing so much and so fast I can't believe that she is almost 2 months old.
Time has flown.
She is doing great eating well, sleeping and all in all just being cute.
Marty is so in love with her. And so are the rest of us.
Hope you enjoy to video and Happy Fathers Day to all.
XOXO