A HUGE Score and a Mustachio Apron

I know it's late!  Who blogs at 10 p.m.???  Ummm, I do!!

I spent the day doing some back-to-school shopping with the kiddos, thanks to a nice gift card my wonderful mother-in-law sent them.  Then I did one of my ALL TIME favorite things....I went thrifting! 

I didn't exactly MEAN to buy anything.  I just walked into the shop to browse and kill time, and then I saw it. The sign.  It said "All clothing $1."  Say WHAAATTTT?

I decided just to peek in the woman's section. The first thing I found was a pair of gray Liz Claiborne dress slacks, in my size.  Right next to it a pair of taupe NY & Co dress slacks (also in my size!)  I found a couple of pencil skirts, a GORGEOUS button down black midi skirt, a beautiful navy Isaac Mizrahi dress, and a Simply Vera Wang top.

I was about to walk to the register when I saw a rolling rack with some newly placed items.  I found my daughter 3 cardigans, two from Gap and one from J. Crew.  My biggest find??  A pair of LIKE NEW Banana Republic jeans in hubby's size.  Keep in mind, these are $1 each!  ONE DOLLAR!  My grand total??  $14...CHA-CHING!  That was less than what I spent on ONE long-sleeve hoodie for my son at Kohls!

I don't have any pics of my score to share with you tonight. Half of the items are in the wash, and the other half are in a bag to go to the cleaners, but I will post some as soon as I can.

I'm not going to leave you with out any pics, though.  Here is one of 6 aprons I made for my friend who's hosting a mustachio baby shower. 

Enjoy!

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Back to School and Mini Wet Bags

This is the first time EVER that I have been excited about the kids going back to school.  Maybe it's because all of my Florida friends have been posting pics of their cute kids wearing cute backpacks or in their cute classrooms with their cute new teachers.  Most likely, though, it's because my soon-to-be 4th and 7th graders have perfected the art of hovering over me as I work.  In fact, these last few sentences have taken 35 minutes to write.

Being a work-at-home mom comes with many challenges, especially in the summer.  I'm constantly stopping in the middle of a project to cook a meal, referee an argument, or taking the day off altogether just to get the kids out of the house.  I understand how it feels to be bored. 


To lighten the situation, I try to sneak in a little handmade gift for my own kids whenever I can't step away from the sewing machine.  Last week I tweaked the wet bag pattern to make my daughter a reusable sandwich bag for her lunchbox.

It's lined in vinyl for easy cleanup.  My favorite thing about this bag is the zipper to help contain the crumbs!

My friend J had been looking for a zippered reusable sandwich pouch, so she ordered a couple for her little boy who started preschool this week.  She wanted something that said "back to school" but also said her little guy loves Elmo and instruments.  How do you think I did?

It made my day to get this photo from my little buddy:

If you like these mini wet bags, you can find some now in my shop! They can also be custom made!  Email me for details!

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My Summer Hiatus (But, I'm Back!!)

Wow!  Does anyone remember me?  I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since my last blog post!  Yikes! In my defense, I did warn you earlier this summer that I would be busy making memories, and that I have.

Shortly after my Boho Headscarf post, hubby, the kids and I packed up our car and drove down to Florida to visit family and friends.  Our trip was originally scheduled to last about 10 days, but we ended up staying a little over three weeks!

If you follow my Facebook page, you will know that my nephews' infamous "twins shower", which prompted me to start designing baby gift items such as the neck tie and mustache burp cloths and the neck tie diaper and wipes pouch, finally came to fruition while I was in Florida.

I designed some super cute cupcake picks, a neck tie bunting and mini neck tie "capia" pins for the event. (Capia pins are traditional Latin American monogrammed pins that guests are given to wear at bridal and baby showers.)

After the shower, I spent a lot of time with my mom and sister.  Mom and I did some sewing:

and sis and I took our kids to the beach twice, to the movies and to lunch at the T-Rex Cafe in Downtown Disney!

Do you see my beautiful niece sporting her AquaSeventy6 flower earrings?

The rest of our trip we spent hanging out with friends and cousins.  We were strictly budgeted, (I mean, really, who can afford a 3-week vacation, even if they are staying with family?) So, our friends in  Land O Lakes, Seffner, Town N Country and St. Pete Beach took turns inviting us over for dinner.  I can't express what a beautiful gesture that was, and how much we enjoyed their company! (Thanks to R&M, D&M, J&R, A&L, J&Z, and J&C for your yummy homemade dinners, good conversation and your friendship!)

Since I've been home, I've started to work on some new items, which I will be sharing with you this week.  I also had a HUGE sale in my Etsy shop (another reason you MUST follow me on FB!) I have missed my little blog, and I hope you've missed me, too! 

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Bohemian Headscarf

You've seen them on everyone from Nicole Richie to SJP.  Now AquaSeventy6 is going to help you rock out the Boho Headscarf.

My friend Jasmine custom ordered some elastic headbands from my collection.  But after breaking three needles and being on the verge of homicide I decided that now was probably a good time to discontinue the line. (Confession:  Every time I would get an order for an elastic headband I literally had to coax myself to get behind the machine. If it wasn't a broken needle, it was tangled thread.   I will probably re-imagine them with an easier to sew elastic, but for now they are history.)

After profusely apologizing, I asked Jas if she had anything else in mind, and she wondered if I could make her a bohemian headscarf.   I had never made a head scarf before, but I was super pumped for the challenge, and I'm thrilled with the way it turned out!

I pleated the part that goes on the head and left the ends loose.  I then stitched it across in sections for a quilted look.

I would have loved to have shown you some different looks with this head scarf, but alas, it is 102 degrees here today, and I had to run inside before dying of a heatstroke!  Not to mention that I was still sporting bedhead and morning face...thanks to Picmonkey's airbrush tool for helping me look less like the undead.  ;)

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!

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BTW, have you entered my 300 Facebook Follower giveaway?  If not, click here!  Giveaway ends tonight!

40% Off Sale for the 4th of July!!

Hi friends!  I hope you are enjoying your holiday!  If you aren't able to make it to the beach, pool or parades today, I have a special gift for you!  Take 40% off of EVERYTHING in my shop.  Today only!!!  Use code: July42012.  This is my BIGGEST sale to date, so don't miss out!!  Click on the link above or use the widget in my sidebar to see what goodies I have for sale!

In the meantime, here's a little preview of what my little mama will be sporting at tonight's 4th of July party:

I will be wearing the matching brooch!

Have a great holiday, and hope to see you around the shop!

Neck Tie Diaper {and wipes} Pouch

Here is the newest item created for my soon-to-arrive twin grandnephews.

I was inspired by the diaper clutch tutorial over at A Lemon Squeezy Home. If you haven't stopped by Christie's blog, do it (but after you read this post, pin your favorite photos, and share it with all of your friends!) ;)

I added the matching neck tie applique pattern I used for my Neck Tie Burp Cloths but I changed the look up a little by using a football print in coordinating colors.

I used the same football fabric as the lining and added a hook and loop closure.  (Forgive the purple pull-up diaper.  With a 9 and 12-year-old at home, this was the only diaper I could dig up from the back of the bathroom cabinet---it was either this or an adult diaper--don't ask me why I have one!)

There is easily enough room for another diaper and a portable wipes case.  Perfect for tossing into your handbag for a quick trip to the grocery store!  I bet it could hold a folding changing pad, as well...hmmmm...I think I found my next project!!

This was so easy, thanks to Christie's tutorial! 

I will be adding more of my handmade items for the twins soon.  In the meantime, if you like what you see,  "like" my my Facebook page!

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


BTW, have you entered my 300 Facebook Follower giveaway?  If not, click here!

300 Facebook Follower Giveaway!!!

I'm so excited to be hosting my 300 Facebook Follower giveaway today! It's because of YOU that I am able to help provide for my family while doing what I LOVE!

It means so much to me, and as a "thank you", today I am giving away $30 worth of custom items to one lucky Facebook fan! As an added bonus, my beautiful friend Kara from Simply Vintage Candles is giving away one of her deliciously smelling, hand poured, all-natural soy wax candles!

Here is a preview of what you can custom order from AquaSeventy6:

Look at the vintage label on this Simply Vintage Candle!  I can already see myself transported to an island somewhere while burning this Coconut Cabana scented candle!:

Have I tempted you, yet? 

Entering is EASY PEASY!  There is only one mandatory entry, but you can enter up to 7 additional ways!!  Contest ends at 12:01 a.m. EST Friday, July 6.  Winner will be announced Friday morning.

Here goes!  On your mark....get set....go!


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