Shop Update!

I updated my Etsy shop with these pretties today. I've been so into houndstooth this month. I think its because of Back to School fever. It makes me want to cozy up into a big Houndstooth coat and go on a trip to the city. So, I made this fun tote to go along. Its got sweet little buttons to dress it up a bit and a pocket on the inside to keep secrets in.
I've also added quilt kits to make the quilts shown above. Once completed, they'd make sweet shower gifts. Mostly these kits involve sewing semi-straight lines and a little ironing and pinning together. Instructions are included.
Elsie and I have been planning this shop update for about a week and I'm so glad she asked me to do it with her because sometimes I need a little goal to get me motivated. I love my girl, Elsie. She's seriously top notch. Go check out her shop today, too! Thanks for looking.
And tell me about your latest trip to the city. I love a good story.

Go On and Get Ya Some!

We're trying to clean house and make room for more kit boxes so we're having a clearance sale over at the Red Velvet Kit Club blog. We're selling them below retail and quantities are limited so get your order in line while you can! There are still some blank books to make into art journals, pretty Love, Elsie product, alphas and tons of paper to fill in your stash. Thanks for checking it out.

We've had a long week in Cali. S has been to the doctor twice, Brett and I both made long overdue trips to the dentist and none of us have been sleeping well. No fun. So, tomorrow, I'm playing catch up and plan on tackling the sewing pile because on THURSDAY, Elsie and I are doing Etsy shop updates! We're trying to keep the plates spinning and both knew it'd been awhile since there had been anything new added. I'm finally going to get some totes in there and maybe some small quilt kits. You'll just have to check in on Thursday and see what shows up, I guess.
Oh, and have you seen the latest Urban Outfitters catalogs? They are inspiring me this week. I'm going to write in mine and doodle all over it. I've got some fun ideas running around in my head and I don't want them to vanish because I don't sleep enough. Elsie and I used to use old Anthropologie catalogs as journals. Who doesn't want to recycle something so pretty! Anyway, the size of this one is what I love. Like a newspaper.

Holy Cow!

Saturday, Brett, Sebastian and I took a walk down the street to drop off some Love, Elsie goodies at my new friend's house. She invited me in and showed me where she worked on her LO's, her piles of fun product, the fabulous curtains she sewed for her dining room, the quilts she's working on...it was great.
I met Rachelle when I was working my booth at the Big Hat Days Festival in April and we'd chatted about how we both lived nearby, went to the same high school, etc. Then, I asked her to be our July Project GD. So I asked her where she lived to drop the kit off at her house, and we both realized we lived not only in the same neighborhood, but like right down the street from each other. I can walk to her house in five minutes. Seriously!
So, not only did we get to visit about scrapping and sewing, she sent me home with a pile of fun stuff! Love it all. Thanks, Rachelle.
Oh, and I got a haircut. Went to a place someone with great hair recommended and the girls inside were all my age with hot hair and really fun shoes. I knew it was going to work. FINALLY!
So, here it is straight.

New Love, Elsie LO's

These were fun to make. Thanks for looking.

Minibook for Katy.

KT, you might read this before you get your present so be warned that if you keep scrolling down, you'll ruin your surprise. But, if you can't wait, you can peek.
I'm the worst at forgetting birthdays, as documented here. So, I decided to at least make it a point to try to get something in the mail on time.
Didn't happen! But, it did get started. And it'll be there very soon after your birthday. I'm just proud that I was able to finish it before the 12th.
So, Katy, I hope you feel celebrated on Sunday and have sweet moments with your bearded hubby, and that your doggies are extra nice. Happy 27th! Here's your present!



More pics here.

Getting Started

I'm into chapter three.
I'm sure our neighbors are laughing from their windows while I wrestle with the baby swing and stool on one side and baby and book on the other, through the front door and onto the lawn. I'm trying to make the most of swing time. Usually S will stay out there for about 20 minutes before he's ready to explore again so I speed read.

A new challenge up on the Red Velvet Kit Club blog. Look for new LO's here today or tomorrow.


If you've finished the book, proudly leave your comment! (Don't tell me what happens.)

Self-Portrait Thursday

Two days ago I decided I wanted to dress up. I put on the new gold heels, a black and blue skirt from Target, a cream cardigan from a store in OK., and my new favorite necklace and earrings. Everyone that came home from work saw me and asked me what the occasion was.
I said, "Its pretty Momma day."
"Oh."

Send a link of your self-portrait today. We want to see.

Everyone's Invited!

If you haven't already been on Elsie's blog all day long, head over and meet the Love, Elsie DT, see some new LO's and try the new challenge. You may just win yourself a complimentary kit from the Red Velvet Kit Club. And don't forget to leave a comment or two! There are prizes to be won! I love being on this DT because the product is so unique and the girls are so talented. Its a great mix of styles and personalities and we've just added two more fabulous ladies! Check out the links on the side and introduce yourself.

Here's a sneak peek at a baby quilt I've been working on from the scraps of the last large quilt I finished. Its for my good friend, Danielle, who is having her second baby in Nov. Brett and I lived with Danielle and Wade and helped care for their son, Josh, pretty much from birth until 18 months when we both moved away to different states. It was such a fantastic experience for us now that I look back. We got to learn what being parents looks like behind the scenes. We found out we were pregnant with Sebastian at the end of our stay together and felt so relieved to have close friends to share our joy and anxieties. We love them dearly and are so excited to help welcome baby Addison into the world. Danielle and Josh were back in Oklahoma at the same time as us so we were able to spend some time together on vacation. She's one of the loveliest pregnant women I've ever seen.
So, congratulations Danielle and Wade and Josh!!! We love you.

New LO's

I used the August Paper Kit for these two LO's. You can get your own here.

The hair has always been wild.

I was rummaging through old pics tonight and just had to set a few aside to scrap with. Someday, right?
We totally had a scooter. Until somebody we knew crashed it. This is with my Uncle Steve and little brother.

Backseat of my favorite childhood stationwagon.

I think I had my baby tied around my waist while I was swinging.

I got my brother in the bathtub for Mom.

I didn't have hair until I was two years old. Little did I know, I'd never need curlers.

I've always had a thing for Pirates.

This was my junior year of high school. My hair has never been this long or tame since.

I think my next project is going to be a mini book full of polaroids. I can't let all of these fabulous pics sit in a grocery bag in the upstairs hall closet.

Pics from Vacation

Learning to sew with Great-Grandma

Swimming with Dad and Aunt Jamie

He was napping inside but apparently heard how much fun we were having outside and wanted to join us.

The dog was confused as to why the baby voluntarily crawled into the cage.

Riding the carousel with Grandma Mary.

Elsie and Emma came to see us!!! We went to the bookstore and later did a photo shoot. Of course.

Aunt Brittany is hot. She's got the LOCKS!

Sebastian with 'Aunt' Katy. We've adopted her. She brings Sebastian fun books to read and he likes to play with her camera.

Swinging is his favorite.

The Winners!

I read every one of your comments and I'm proud of you de-lurkers. The four winners are:

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jodie m said...
Love these albums! I have been reading your blog for about 4 months now and I love it. Always gives me such great ideas. Thanks heaps for the give away!!

Jodie
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stephanie southwick said...

I am one of those lurkers! I have been reading for probably 2 or 3 months. I also love your account on sistv.
-Stephanie
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linda in sweden said...
I have been reading your blog since you started it. I really like your style and you make wonderful things.
Thanks for being such an inspiration.

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rachael said...
i have been reading your blog for sometime-i'm not sure how long-but it's one of those on and off things. i'm not like stalking your blog but i do check in!
-Rachael
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So, once you girls read this, e-mail me @ Redvelvetart@hotmail.com with your home address and list these albums in order of your favorite with #1 being your most fav.

That was fun. If you haven't stopped by the RED VELVET blog in awhile, we're doing a SwapJack. Check out the details and send me your info. before Aug. 17th to play with us.

Also, check out those fun shoes I got while I was in OKlahoma. I'm using this pic in a LO for the August Paper Kit. Should be posted on the Red Velvet Kit Club blog sometime on Monday.

Thanks for the comments about this blog and the others. It makes me happy.

Oh, and a blogger that makes life feel 'so worth it'.

Sharing the Love.

WHO WANTS ONE?


I'm giving away four chipboard albums from the Lola and Riley collections. All you have to do is leave your name and how long you've been reading this blog. Its kind of a delurking opportunity for those who wish to remain anonymous or feel a little shy about leaving comments. I'll pick four winners at random on Sunday night and post your names to let you know you've won.

A big thanks to Elsie and KI Memories for designing such beautiful things to work with!

I'm back!

Not quite to California but back to internet access. I finally got the kit info. posted last night and a nice typepad fairy fixed the picture size for me.(thanks E)

I've got a lot of pics from our trip that I'd like to share but they'll have to wait until I can work on them in Cali. I did want to show you the fun box I got in the mail last week! I've done two LO's for the *Love,Elsie* DT with them and I'll be doing a give away later this weekend with the extra product! A girl can only use so much, right!




I used the Lola and Riley lines at Hobby Lobby for these two LO's. Love them!!! If you don't have a Hobby Lobby near you, check out this site.



Thanks for looking! More soon.