Mustachio Burp Cloths

Remember the Neck Tie Burp Cloths I made for my soon-to-arrive twin grandnephews?  I had a couple of cloth diapers left over and I decided to keep the "Little Men" theme going by making some with fancy mustachio appliques.

I'm pretty sure my nephew is going to be like "double-u, tee, eff" when he sees them, but I think they are too cute!

This is my second of many planned handmade baby gifts for the twins.   Tell me what you think!

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Group Giveaway at Rustic Living!

If you follow me on Facebook, you already know that I am participating in a  group giveaway over at one of my favorite blogs, Rustic Living!  It's a Rafflecopter giveaway, so entering is SUPER EASY!  I am giving away a $25 credit to my shop, and you can also win a $25 shop credit to Rustic Living and a vintage tea towel from Vintage Grey!

Also, because I broke 300 Facebook "likes" this week, I will be hosting another giveaway (JUST for my Facebook fans!) as soon as the Rustic Living giveaway winner is announced, so make sure you are a follower!!

Sponsor Spotlight: Applestone Drive

Today I want to introduce you to one of my super talented sponsors, Sara from Applestone Drive.  I am sure you will love her as much as I do!

~~~~~

Hi everyone!

I'm Sara and I blog over at

www.applestonedrive.blogspot.com  

My blog is a range of home decor, thrifty ideas, family, adoption and faith. I am a stay at home mom to 3 kiddos. My daughter is 8 and my boys are 5 and 4. Our youngest was adopted from India in 2009 so I have a real passion for orphan care and other adoptive families.

In fact, a few years ago my husband and I started (along with 2 other couples) a ministry designed to raise money for families willing to adopt (the price tag can just be ridiculous sometimes!). You can read more about Sparrow Ministries {here}. But back to applestone drive...  It's a little quiet around the blog this summer as we are in the process of moving back to our home in St. Louis. (We moved temporarily down to San Antonio for 14 months to be near family in need). But I am anxious to get home and feature some more transformations of my home on Applestone Drive! In the meantime, here are some of my favorite projects:

 Hello Yellow Desk
 

Adoption Pillow
 

Lamp Shade Makeover
 

I hope you'll stop by and say hello! You can also follow me through Facebook or Pinterest or check out my Etsy Shop!

End of the Year Teacher's Gift

I can almost hear the choirs of angels singing...only a day and a half left of the 2011-2012 school year! Since we're from Florida, we are used to being out for the summer by now, so this extra week of school is cutting into our pool time! 

The end of the school year comes with many expenses.  Teachers request donations for the seemingly endless class parties,  in our case, we have to renew our car registrations, pass inspections, etc.  We are planning a road trip to Florida to visit family, and this year the last day of school is just two days before Father's Day!  Funds are spread quite thin--like breath strip thin.  One extra drop and our budget will disintegrate.

Even so, my daughter's teacher has worked so hard for her this year, from the classroom, to being her home bound instructor when my daughter was in a wheelchair with a broken leg, that she deserved a token of our appreciation.

I let my daughter choose a charm necklace and a keyring from my shop, but I wanted to make a fun little gift that incorporated on of Ms. R's favorite things...CHOCOLATE!

I was inspired by Lisa Storms's blog.  So many great ideas!

Here's my easy-peasy end-of-the-year teacher's gift:

I bought this fun lidded cup with a straw at Walmart and filled it with Hershey's Kisses.  I designed and printed a little flag to attach to the straw and VOILA!  All for about $7.

I love to use practical and useful containers.  I can already see Ms. R sipping a frapuccino or some lemonade while reading a good book by the pool this summer. 

These are definitely going to be my go-to teacher appreciation gifts for years to come!


Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked! 

Neck Tie Burp Cloths

Can you believe that at the tender age of twenty-sixteen, I am going to be a great-aunt (for the second and third time!)  My nephew (who is only 11 years younger than me) is expecting twins soon.  He's already given me the most adorable grand-nephew any tia could ever have, and now twins!!

Because we are so far away, I wanted to give my new grand-nephews something handmade to let them know that their Tia Yvey loves them so much, and is always thinking of them.

Here is my very first handmade baby item for the twins.

I've been buying fabric for the boys' gifts for weeks, and I had a couple of free hours yesterday afternoon, so I whipped up these little goodies.  I think they are totally adorable (and I hope my nephews think so, too!)

I added two tie appliques to each burp cloth.  I think this argyle print is so perfect!

I will be adding more of my handmade items for the twins soon.  In the meantime, if you like what you see, and want to place an order, email at the link above or "like" my my Facebook page for more details!

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Busy Making Memories

It happens to me every year around this time.  The last day of school approaches and I start to get sentimental about my kids growing another year older.  In September I will have a 7th grader and a 4th grader.  Me!   Little ol' me, who still dances around my kitchen to Salt N Pepa, Vanilla Ice, and New Kids on the Block.  Where does the time go?

Another thing that happens around this time is that I begin a general "wind down".  Blog ideas get pushed to another day, photographs of my newest creations are stacked on my phone waiting to be uploaded and edited.  Emails take an extra couple of hours to respond.  An invitation to the pool will take precedence over laundry any day of the week...

I'm simply a summer girl.

Now, that doesn't mean that I consider all of this (my blog, shop, etc.) to be just a "hobby" or simple pastime.  What it does mean is that as much as I value YOU--my readers, my clients, my friends--I also value the time I have with my children and my husband.  I value the memories we make together.


Inasmuch as I adore sharing with the world my latest project or fashion obsession, I also think that it is important to share my thoughts and feelings, ideas and laughter with the people around me.  I don't want to find myself so consumed that I am unable to reply to a friend's text or join another friend for lunch.   I'm learning how to balance growing a successful blog and shop AND be a good mom, wife and friend.

I hope you don't give up on me if I don't post for a few days at a time.  I am still taking custom orders, my shop is full of lots of fun stuff with more to come, and I try to update my Facebook page regularly, as well. If I am a little M.I.A. this summer, know that it's because I am busy making memories. xoxo

Source