Post It Note Tuesday

Supah Mommy explains it best on her blog to get there and play for yourself click on the post it...she sums it up

"Why bother wasting your breath, spewing verbalness... when you can simply sum it all up in one neat n tidy little post it note."

Love it!

To get the scoop, write your own and link up click the post it below!

Go HERE to make your post its

Not Me

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not spend hours over the course of 3 days cleaning my craft/laundry room and neglect the rest of the house...severely. I still do not have what appears to be 10 loads of laundry waiting for me.

I did not eat a king size Hersheys and a roll of Shocktarts...the same night. Nope that is a total fatty move, I would NEVER do such a thing!

My son did not crap in the tub when I was already running behind. I was not getting ready and watching him through the mirror and unable to see the bottom of the tub. Karly did not say "what is he playing with...oh my gosh its a turd!!!!" I did not yank him from the tub and proceed to fish the turds out with a cup. Turd in cup I rotate around to dump it in the toilet only to find my sweet 1 year old naked and happily using his fishing pole to fish in the toilet. Awesome. I did not contemplate snapping a picture before pulling him and the pole away from the toilet.

The same said son did not spill my entire cup of coffee in my keyboard and husband's computer controller. I would never leave my cup of coffee setting out hours into the day. If I did I still wouldn't be bitter that all my keys are sticking and the both items will need to be replaced ASAP!

What didn't you do??

Sawyer's Birthday Party

Sawyer's first birthday party!

Well, here are a few pictures from the actual birthday party. Yes we had a cake a few times but this was the real deal. Unfortunately my cute cupcake cake toppled over last minute and I had to whip this together. As usual I procrastinated and didn't get the majority of the projects I wanted done but it still was a good party! Who needs a birthday wreath for the door anyways?!?!

We scaled back the food and I can honestly say it was so nice to not be cooking and fretting about things. I really enjoyed everyone's company and soaking up the birthday festivities. I unfortunately was so laid back I forget to take pictures throughout the day.  I didn't snap many pictures but I got a handful of Sawyer. I think he had a great time!

Happy Birthday Little Man!

19 weeks!

Baby O 19 weeks

This week your baby starts bulking up and packing on the grossly named "brown fat" he'll need to keep warm when he gets evicted from his comfortable uterine home. Other highlights this week:

Vernix, a milky white coating that protects your baby's skin, appears all over your baby's body to keep his skin from getting pickled in the amniotic fluid. Think of it as if your baby has been dipped in yogurt, like those delicious but fake-healthy yogurt-covered raisins and pretzels. Ooh, we feel another craving comin' on. ... Under the vernix, a fuzzy layer of hair called lanugo now covers baby's body. Don't worry, your Mini won't look like Cousin It when he's born. Most of the fuzz will fall off before baby makes his grand entrance.

Good news: Your baby's kidneys are fully functioning and producing urine this week. Bad news: That means there will be lots of diapers in your future. But so far you're safe—at the moment the pee just passes into the amniotic fluid.

He or she now weighs about 8½ ounces and measures 6 inches, as long as a turkey sub from Subway on warm, delicious Italian Herbs and Cheese bread (or Honey Oat bread, or Oregano bread or ...)

MY UPDATE: 

I went to the doctor on Monday (18.5 weeks along).  The doctor said everything looks great!  My blood pressure was fab, no weight gain yet, and my uterus is measuring just over 2 weeks ahead!  For those that don't know this doesn't mean the baby is older or coming any earlier, just that I make nice roomy ovens and have pretty good size babies!  Soo still mid November.  I go back in a month and we'll do the big ultrasound so I should have lots of pics for you.  We aren't finding out the sex so moan and groan now and get it over with :)  Sorry suckas!  I still have INSANE heartburn but that is really my only pregnancy complaint!  Still haven't felt much movement from the little one.  I am hoping this increases soon, I love baby movement!  Can't wait!  I think that sums it up!  Oh and I promise to post some pics soon.  Us thick girls take a little longer to look pregnant and not just fatter!  My belly is definitely rounding out so soon my pretties...very soon!

Things I Like Thursday

This week I have another Thing I Like that I don't really LIKE so to speak...this post will be a little link heavy to be sure you have access to all of the info!

Again...more sick babies. There is truly nothing worse than sick children. I am beyond thankful that my kids have been so healthy. Unfortunately not all children are so lucky.

{sidenote:  Remember the blog post about Karter's bow collection??  If you missed it, you can read more here.  I hope you have all made a few bow/hats for Karter's Bows of Faith! The first batch is being distributed today I think! Karter had open heart surgery yesterday...at just 11 weeks old!  No updates yet.  You can get more updates from their blog or their facebook! Spread the word!}

Now...back to the subject at hand.

Tutu Drive 2010

Natasha over at Samster Mommy...one of my favorite blogs (seriously that b&w pic of her and that skinny little baby melts my heart every time...go look at it now! so precious right!?) Samster Mommy is organizing a tutu drive to collect 100 tutu's to donate to the Princess Alexa Foundation. You are also encouraged to donate capes for the boys, crowns, wands, pretty much anything little boys and girls can play dress up in. If you have kids or have been around them you know they LOVE dressing up

The foundation was started by a mom named Crys in honor of her daughter Alexa. Alexa battled cancer from the ripe age of 2 and lost her battle at 4 years old. Truly heartbreaking.

photo courtesy of www.princessalexafoundation.org

Go find out more about Alexa and how you can help!

Even Karly has decided she will make a few tutus for these children. Don't know how to make a tutu?? You can buy one to donate (just keep the tags on)! OR follow Samster Mommy, she will be posting a few tutu tutorials, in fact she already has the first tutorial up.  There are a few tiny requirements on these to ensure the health of these kids isn't compromised.  Seriously teeny tiny things like the fact that they can't be used.  Only new and handmade items.

Don't forget to 'like' the Alexa Foundation on Facebook.  This will also help spread the word and help these kids!  Head over to Samster Mommy and grab a blog button...even if you can't participate you can help spread the word!

Not ME!!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I was NOT a total slacker yesterday. Especially when my house and backyard are in post birthday party chaos! Nope, I would definitely have cleaned it up following the party!

I am NOT totally obsessed with getting Sawyer involved in infant swimming resource classes. I do not think I will cry through every class but know in my heart it's a great program. I am not looking into getting certified myself so other families in my area won't have to drive 100 miles each way, 5 days a week for a month. If you don't want to know more don't watch the video below :) AP parents beware...it really isn't easy to watch.

Infant Swimming Resource Self-Rescue from Infant Swimming Resource on Vimeo.

This clip is longer and more informative if you are interested for your child.

Infant Swimming Resource Parent Video from Infant Swimming Resource on Vimeo.

I did not dream about feeling my baby move last night....what the heck is with this lazy fetus not moving around yet??

I did not release a super cute frog hat pattern. It is not being modeled by my daughter and therefore a little snug since I made it to fit my son :) I do not need to get this to Ciara Hammonds Photography for good pics ASAP!!! I am also not running a sweet promo to break in the new pattern on my facebook fanpage! If you like a deal don't go check it out!

Now, what haven't you been up to???

Follow Up

First of all thank you to everyone for taking the time to comment on my last post! Your responses were great.

Second, I totally agree with the majority of everything you all said!  Brand new original ideas are few and far between.  I think it is so important for people to put their own touches on things.  I thought of a great example of this the other day!  The flower rosette tutorial and projects that are flying around free online and even for sale on Etsy...you know what I am talking about?  Can you imagine how Anthropologie and JCrew get irritated?  Bottom line, there are still plenty of people willing to pay $80 for one of their shirts while the us budget living folks learn how to make a similar WAY cheaper version.  The internet makes EVERYTHING readily available, easier to copy and at our fingertips.

I would never, EVER flat out copy someone's work. Inspired by...sure... my photographer asked me to create a more bucket type stork pouch (she calls it a kangaroo pouch and I have adopted that name too)...ask and you shall receive! This is about as close to "copying" as I get. I would be very upset if someone flat out ripped off my idea and turned around and sold the same pattern. Anyone with crochet knowledge and experience can most likely rip off plenty of patterns just by looking at them. It's a matter of them wanting to spend countless hours getting it right or pay the 3-5 bucks to get it all laid out and simple for them. I even buy patterns from time to time! I'll be honest and say I suck at making baby shoes and booties. Even with patterns they rarely turn out! I will probably never sell a pattern for them because I suck that bad. That being said, if I really looked long and hard at pictures I could figure it out. That 'long and hard' few hours just isn't worth the $5 I may spend to just buy the pattern and support another artisan.

For the most part I don't let the fear bother me.  I try not to look online, especially on Etsy because I don't want my own creativity being overrun with visions I have already seen!  I do get weak sometimes and check out the "competition".

What I am trying to say is Thank You! Thank you for all of the comments and support! I love what a great group of creative and driven women (I think most of us are women) I am surrounded by!

Here's to success for us all!

Creating one of a kind items???

Hello beautiful readers!

I have a quick question for you and am curious to what everyone thinks...

Back story: A comment (not directed at me) was posted on a friends facebook page inquiring about the drama and anger towards people creating similar items (whether for sale or just personal use wasn't clear so I can't speak on that).

So that brings me to ask the question: Do you think it's wrong for someone to create something similar to an item already being sold?? I of course think it is wrong to create an exact duplicate of someone's work. I also think brand new original creative ideas are best but after selling awhile you start to wonder if there really are any brand new and creative ideas. Even if they aren't sold on Etsy, they could be sold on a dozen other selling venues, craft fairs, etc...

There is no need for me to admit I sell similar items to other items being sold. I have never stolen someone's work but looking at photographers pictures especially on Flikr (thanks Ciara) I have definitely been inspired by items.

Is 1 person selling a particular item enough? Can 1 person reach every buyer in the world? Would that 1 person make it to everyone's liking, workmanship, colors, etc... Enter patterns.... does 1 person write patterns the way everyone likes them written?? I know I have bought a dozen patterns that I hated the way they were written, didn't make sense or my biggest pet peeve....having all of the sizes written together with the larger sizes in parenthesis such as

" ch 3, dc in next 2 (4, 6, 8)" 

Man I hate when patterns are written like that...BUT I am sure other people prefer it. So is it wrong to write a pattern for a baby cocoon when there are already a bunch for sale? Is it wrong for 10 people to sell sock monkey hat patterns?? Hmmm....my opinion on this exact example. NO, because that 1st person surely didn't create the sock monkey and then decide selling it as a hat would be a great plan.

This is weighing on my right now. I am getting ready to release a frog hat pattern. There are a lot of other frog hats and even a few patterns for sale. Do I think mine is cuter? DUH ;) Mine has 3D eyes, and additional work to make it look much more boutique, complete, and cute. I make a bear hat, so do a dozen other people. I make a stocking cap, so do a dozen other people. I have had a lot of people request an owl hat. I have designed it in my mind and just need to put it in the yarn. A dozen other people make owl hats as well. Do people care if I make them as well? Well, people selling them probably do. I have stopped looking at how many of us sell similar items and just have to trust my shoppers will be happy with my patterns and will come back.

So what is your opinion???

Do I create these items or just let people shop elsewhere??  If I have people requesting them from me it must be for a reason right??

I yam what I yam - Baby O 18 weeks

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon

Your baby is about 12cm long from crown to rump and she weighs about 190g. Her chest moves up and down to mimic breathing. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin, and her ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from her head a bit.

Soon you may get glimpse of all the things your baby is getting up in your uterus (womb). A mid-pregnancy ultrasound scan, called an anomaly scan, is usually done between 18 and 22 weeks. This assesses your baby's growth and development and checks whether the gestational age is accurate.

During this scan, you might see your baby kick, flex, reach, roll, or even suck her thumb. See if your partner can come along to share the thrilling sight of your baby, and ask if you can have images from the scan.

If you're having a girl, the vagina, uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes are in place. If it's a boy, his genitals will be distinct and recognisable. If you are carrying more than one baby, check out our section on twins or more.

From now on, when you lie down, it's best to lie on your side, or at least partly tilted to one side. When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein. This may make you feel dizzy, because less blood can return to your heart. Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

PERSONAL UPDATE:  I had to push my doc appointment from yesterday until Monday so I'll have an update for you next week.  I am excited to go, I still haven't felt this baby move which according to textbook is totally normal but my other 2 had felt a few weeks already by this point!  I also have my big ultrasound coming up which is always neat.  I can't believe at this point we already knew Sawyer was a boy.  I still am not going to find out but I will admit during that ultrasound it will be tough!  I will stay strong!!!

Things I Like Thursday

First of all I don't "like" the fact that an organization like this is needed.  I can't think of anything worse than a sick child.  I like the fact that a mom saw something she could organize and help make a difference.

My cousin went to school with this woman.  This woman is Tara, she is Karter's mom (love the name).  Karter is sick and lives at the hospital for now.  Here is a blurb from her mom's blog post.  You can see the entire post and read more about Karter's journey HERE.

"Okay ladies listen up! I am starting up a collection in HONOR of Karter for the little girls here at Children’s Medical Center. Upon walking into Karter’s room yesterday all I could see machines, tubes, and lines hooked up to my precious angel. However, last night she was given another bow to put onto one of her wires….This changed everything!!! You would not even imagine the difference seeing a bow made on my little girl. Instead of seeing the wires and tubes I just saw a sleeping beauty. The bow made all the difference in the world to me and made me realize that she is still my baby girl!

So with this discovery I have decided to start up a collection in Honor of Karter called Karter’s Bow of Faith. I am asking for all donation of bows of any size, shape, and color! These bows will be given to the girls at Children’s Medical Center. You can mail them to me or we will pick them up. I will be attaching a little prayer to each bow and will even attach your name if you would like. Please help me help other families see their sleeping beauties amidst all of their medical problems. I know that by receiving these bows we will be lighting up the life of lots of little girls. Please pass the word and contact me with any questions here on our blog or on Facebook!

Thank you so much for your time and consideration! With your help I know Karter’s Bow of Faith will be a great success!

Love,

Tara McHam"

I am sure most of us can whip up at least one bow, headband or hat right??  Don't have a pattern, use my free headband tutorial!  Know how to make ribbon headbands, knit ones, there are really no restrictions.  Let's show Karter and the other babies some love and give their parents the chance to see something a little "normal" on their babies instead of life saving equipment.  I have messaged Tara for the address to send these to, I'll keep ya posted!

Wanna Make It Wednesday!

I am back and ready for new projects to add to my never ending list!

First up this adorable camera bag!  I was pricing bags the other day and they are $80+ bucks for a boring old black bag. This bag is adorable! It does look like a pain to make though or maybe I just overwhelm easy?!?! My only concern is to be sure it is designed to keep the inside goods safe!  You can find the tutorial at Creating Happiness.  I searched high and low...for hours on the hunt for a good tutorial and this was truly the best one I found. 

Next up; two cute camera straps! Now this is my kind of project...easy breezy! I am really digging the patchwork one. The ruffle one is cute but ruffles really aren't my thing!  I love how these aren't just covers for the original straps which most tutorials seem to be.  Char at Crap I've Made (love the name) shares the tutorials for both she even shows how to transplant those leather ends from your original strap.  If you are loving the ruffle one head over to UCreate.  It is June's 'Create With Me' project.  Is it sad I want to make the ruffle one just so I can play along??? 

Now you may be asking why the post dedicated to a few camera goodies

well...

{drum roll please}

I got my very first big girl camera! Ah yeah!

I don't desire to be a professional photographer, though I do wish I had those skills!  I actually look and drool at photos I wish I could take!

{{ ** SIDENOTE: I did want to be a pro photographer. When I was in middle school I knew I was destined for big amazing adventures. When I started high school I was fairly certain National Geographic would be contacting me. Yes, National Geographic. I should probably tell you that I had never taken a picture of landscape or animals or anything other than my friends really...but still, I knew they wanted me ;) No I am not joking!  I seriously honestly thought I would work for them.  Then I got pregnant, oh yeah, in high school, and took pictures of my baby and not much else! Strange how things work out huh?!?  Needless to say National Geographic never called**}}

I really wanted a camera that I enjoyed using that would have more options to capture great photos of my kids! I will admit it is a little intimidating but so far I love it! I loved my old trusty point and shoot but unfortunately it was stolen when our house was robbed. Having a 6 week old baby the pressure was on to immediately replace the stolen one. I looked at point and shoots and a few dslr options. Long story short I felt awful spending the few extra hundred on the one I REALLY wanted knowing that we were going to be replacing a ton of stolen items. I bought the point and shoot that was the newer version of my beloved stolen one. Well, I hated it! It's not that it didn't take good pictures or didn't feel good in my hand...I hate the buttons! I know that probably seems so trivial and silly, but I truly would go crazy trying to even find the menu.  Not anymore! This baby's buttons are fabulous!  So, here I am a year later finally getting one I am fairly certain is perfect for me.  Oh...and still feeling a little guilty about purchasing.  Do you all do this?  Get a treat for yourself and then feel guilty or selfish?

Anyways....

I love her.

She loves me.

Now,

What do you wanna make??

Post It Note Tuesday

Supah Mommy explains it best on her blog to get there and play for yourself click on the post it...she sums it up

"Why bother wasting your breath, spewing verbalness... when you can simply sum it all up in one neat n tidy little post it note."

Love it!

To get the scoop, write your own and link up click the post it below!

Go HERE to make your post its