Baby Shower Fun

This past Saturday my friend Tess and I threw a baby shower for our friend Stefani. It turned out so super cute. Towards the end of last week I told Tess "I am beginning to hate owls!" but the shower ended up to be soooo worth the annoyance of the poor little birds. Took some photos to share with you all. We wanted simple but cute and I think we pulled it off. If nothing else, Stefani was happy and that is what is most important, right?


First up, the food. Simple, Simple, Simple! Store bought. I know what your thinking, don't you love to cook and bake? Yes, I do...but there was a lot of stuff to do. So we went to Costco and bought some sandwiches, wraps, salad, chips and cookies. Put it out and wa-la!

Is this not the cutest drink table you have ever seen? Tess makes a mean Cherry limeaid, so she whipped that up and we cutsied up the table with some margarita glasses filled with extra cherries and limes. Added some pitchers of water and iced tea and it was perfection.

I love how the banner turned out. Don't you? Super cute and again simple.


What table is complete without a centerpiece? Tess and I painted some basic pots in the colors of the shower (which are the nursery colors). Then she added babies name to one and I made up some owl pillows for the baby and her big sisters room. The idea behind these were owls in nests, not sure they look quite like that but they looked adorable on the tables.

Last but not least, the party favors. We made up some of Julie's (JoysHope) mason jar cupcakes. Put our own little twist on them, chocolate cupcakes w/ chocolate frosting, caramel sauce and toffee bits. Attached a napkin and fork so they could take it all home with them. Unfortunately they were all gone, so we can't tell you how good they really were :)

Wordless Wednesday-Park Day

A picture says a thousand words. So with these two photos let me tell you how cute and fun my kids were at the park this past week.

Mommy Fail

At the beginning of this year I told my husband "Now that I am home, I don't care how big or small the holiday, I will make it fun for the kids." By this statement I meant: decorations, crafts, games, food and fun! Then I got busy.

As you could tell by my MIA post last week, I have been super busy. I co-hosted a baby shower on Saturday (come back Thursday for that), I am making the same friend quilts for her 2 girls, I am doing a handmade booth at Creative Estates in like 3 weeks and I am going to have a booth at The Queen Bee Market in May. Have I mentioned all of this before?

Anyway, although all of this is fun and exciting, I got distracted. At around noon on March 17th, I looked at my phones calendar only to realize, "Oh cuss! It is St. Patty's Day" (Yes, I say cuss instead of cussing, I'm cool like that). Luckily, I had to go to Wal-mart to pick up a few things for the shower coming up, so I grabbed a few things for the unexpected holiday.

That evening we had Breakfast for dinner, Green Pancakes and Bacon. For dessert we were going to make Shamrock Shakes but since I got started late baby boy was asleep and I have the worlds loudest blender so we have Mint Cookie Crunch Ice Cream sundaes. Rhi was thrilled with all of the green food and icecream at bed time but I know the truth.... Complete Mommy Fail!

I {Heart} Mondays #4

I am getting super excited for the upcoming Conference I am going to and for the Handmade Market so I thought I would share a few things I love that are made by some of the vendors that will be there.

Aisle to Aloha. Is this painting not adorable? Aaaannd it's not even my favorite. I have two favs, neither of which are in the shop right now. Keep checkin back for Sew Cute and Click Click. I think hubby and I need them hanging in our office.Josiah's Nest. I seriously love this fabric knot necklace. I think that I need it in a few different colors or maybe with a matching fabric wrapped cuff bracelet.


Flawed Perfection Jewelry- I'm seriously in love with this Exotic Cluster Necklace. How could you not be? Gorgeous.

Also, OliveBlue and SheyB. There are soooo many things in these shops that I am crushin' on. I can't put them all on here. I think Blogger might overheat or something. Look back through the weeks and see some of their items. Or go straight to their shops. I die!

MIA

Hey friends-
I wanted to post something up here just so you don't think I have been kidnapped. I am in fact alive and well. Just crazy busy! I am throwing a baby shower this Sat. and then I am preparing for Creative Estates and Queen Bee (ya you heard that right, I will be a vendor at Queen Bee).

Of course, I am doing this all while making products to ship out and of course taking care of my lovely children. My head is about to explode. I will be back and at blogging next week. See ya then!

The Center

This last month or so I have been praying for God to bless my business. Rock-A-Bow is the main reason I am able to stay home with my babies; so it's success is a huge cry of my heart. I pray that God would just take it to the next level. I know without Him, I will go no where and do nothing.

Throughout this time of constant prayer, God has laid things in my lap and shown me sure signs of what He wants. First it was this blog over at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, then it was this product and hubbies statement that I kept God in the center and was blessed for it. Lastly, it was the words in my head saying "Make your business glorify me and I will bless it".

So many times we forget where we come from and what brought us to where we are. Rock-A-Bow was founded with the desire to bring a smile to a little ones face. To make a little girl want to twirl, to make her feel beautiful. God made that happen. I have been reminded of that so many times lately. Mostly, just seeing the joy of a little one putting on a tutu or playing with their artfolio. My products are doing what they were made to do but am I?

God has given me the ability to sew and to create. As a Christian I am to spread His love and His name. Why have these two "jobs" not collided? Jesus is the center of my life, so it just makes sense that He should be the center of my business.

Now since my products are not items that revolve around God or Christianity, how do I keep Him in the center? Well, it's good you asked because I want to share with you.

Every day, I will start by praying over the work I am about to do. I will pray again over every product I make and the person who purchased it and the person who will own it. I will pray that it brings them joy, that it brings that smile I mentioned. That somehow that item would brighten days to come. I will simply pray for the person.

Prayer, it is a powerful thing. It opens doors, it brings joy, it heals and it saves. HE saves!

I will not stop at praying over my products. I will be praying for my customers, friends on social networks and in the handmade community and for you.

His name will be spoken on my blog often. My business will be run honestly and how I feel He would want it run.

God told me to glorify Him.

I want to make my Daddy proud.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Momma's got a Weakness

Now as much as I love to shop for myself and for clothing, I am able to fight the urge. For my little ones, the urge often wins the battle. I have a hard time walking through the children's section and not buying some cute clothes for my kids. I will admit Rhiannon is the most tempting to shop for. I mean she is a girl and a cute one at that, so those little skirts and dresses just call my name.

How do I fight this urge? Well lately, I have been making stuff for her. It is still an addiction I know. The fabric doesn't buy itself BUT it is a whole lot cheaper. So I highly recommend picking up some fabric and making some cuteness for your little ones.

For those of you who do not sew, no worries I have some direction for you as well. Target! You heard me right, that horrible tempting place they call a store. Although, it is an evil temptress, Target has some great sales. Their clearance section is to die for and they always have racks loaded full of $4 pieces. Are they as cute as the $14.99 shirt on the rack next to it? No but it is enough to fight the urge of buying a fortune worth of clothing.

Another suggestion, Old Navy's Clearance. These clothes are just as cute as the new stuff on the racks surrounding but are simply out of season. If you are lucky like me, you live in Southern California, where the seasons don't matter and you can purchase anything at anytime of the year and get some use of it.

Now, that leads me to little more of a helpful suggestion that will actually help you to save money and not just spend it. Buy out of season. Buy a size or two larger and get the discounted clothing. You will save money and have an uber cute wardrobe waiting for your little to wear in a few months!