Hello, Baby. Goodbye, Friends.

The Hello: A friend of mine is having her first baby pretty soon.  I saw this quote on Pinterest and thought it was so perfect.  She likes elephants and used some in her nursery, so I incorporated both.  I hope she and her new baby like it! Welcome Baby Stevens!

The Goodbye: Our dear friends are moving to Australia.  Ashton loves their little girls and was so sad about them moving.  He doesn't quite understand why they have to leave.  To make the transition a little easier, I made some cards for them to write to us about their new adventures. They could be like pen pals!  Good luck to the Tupou family on their new adventures! We will miss you and your crazy humor.   You guys are one of the most wonderful, generous and hilarious people ever.

Back from hibernation

 I am alive!  I am a mother to 3 children- 4 and under.  I am surviving...trying to get back to normal life with few hours of sleep. 

I have been pretty busy...see?  How could I not snuggle with this precious babe all day long?

 Ashton started preschool- which he absolutely loves!!

Ollie and I hang out, play and nap, of course!


















Little Miss Adelle and I like to go out from time to time- just the girls :)

 

Look at how big she has gotten!  Just minutes old.... 

now 11 weeks old!!!

Trying to balance family, home and work is going to be a challenge.  I always feel guilty if I work when my kids are awake, but I have to- even if it is just 1 hour.  In order for my business to continue I have to put in work.  Nights are difficult as well because I want to spend time with my husband and it is easier to clean the house without little hands destroying what you just completed.  Anyway, after talking with my husband about the difficult balancing act I have to perform, we decided that it will be good for me to have my "me" time and "work" time.  They can't be the same, even if I actually enjoy working.  I have to be more focused in my work time and really dedicate time to produce new ideas and new product.  I am, afterall, providing a small cushion for us to fall back on financially since he is in the BYU MBA program (aka poor students...again!). 

So from now on, I will be more focused and will try to blog about 3 times a week with personal things, but mostly party ideas or client commissioned work.

Coming up...... husband commissioned work.  Doing manly design work was a bit difficult for me because I like beautiful and colorful things.  Stay tuned for the final product! 

Baby Adelle's Nursery....so far

I have gotten a late start with Baby #3.  One reason is that we *MAY* be moving but it all depends on a yes or no from a certain school.  And we won't know until July.....almost 2 weeks before baby comes.  Talk about stressful!

Anyway, I finished the baby blanket yesterday and the curtains a week or so ago.  I am procrastinating on other stuff because she may not have her own room.  I feel so behind! I have some clothes and burp cloths but I don't feel ready for her to come yet! Although I am so miserable I want her out...now! :)  

I got this at this shop.  LOOVE monogram stuff.  I will have her newborn pics taken in this.

I made these babies.  I made some for a friend for her first baby and made some for Adelle, too.  Spit up never looked so good.

 These are her curtains.  I bought the white panels at Target and just sewed on the pom poms. 

 I am in love with this blanket.  I want it for my bed! I made it big- so it would fit her toddler bed, too.  I made (aka my mom) Ashton and Oliver's blankets big, too, but not as big.  They LOVE those minky blankets.  This was my first time working with minky fabric and ric rac.  Don't look too closely, though! I was so nervous but I read some tutorials and the key was PIN, PIN, PIN.  Like every inch.  And I used a stretch needle.  Not sure if that is what made it easier.  My mom does not like working with minky but now I found the trick! 

Adelle will be in Oliver's old room, which we painted a sky blue for Ollie.  I feel bad kicking him out of his room but I think Ollie and Ashton will like sharing a room.  So, we are not going to repaint the room.  I like that it will be blue and have lots of magenta/coral/orange.  I like girly with some fun twists.  I will spray paint her frames and iron standing shelf gold...for some elegance.  We will see how it turns out- with a little less than 5 weeks to go!  I also will design some prints for her- can't wait!

P.S. I got all the fabric and embellishments at fabric.com.  I get almost everything from there. It is so nice because there is noooo way I am dragging my boys to a fabric store....it takes so long to look at fabric, find the perfect fabric, and then determine all the measurements for what you want.  No way.  I do everything online. I can't feel the fabric but I already kinda know what I am looking for beforehand. 

Can't wait for this little beauty to come in!

Minted Design Challenge

I have decided to take a chance and enter the Minted Design Challenge.  The deadline is this morning.  I have been working the past few days (I know- I just found out about it this past weekend...) and I am happy with what I came up with.  I used some older stuff I had and spruced it up, changed colors and fonts and some layouts.  I know its a looong shot- with over 2000 submissions- but it is a good way to receive critiques and get to know other designers.  Plus, I get to practice- A LOT.  Even if I don't win, I have a head start on Christmas cards!

I don't know when voting starts, but when it does, will you vote for my designs if you like them? 
Thanks!

In other news, I get about 3 hrs of sleep at night (thanks to baby and bladder) so I have been sleeping during the day when I can.  It isn't enough but I hope you understand if I don't blog very much.  But keep coming back and checking the shop.  I really do appreciate your support!