Family Fun

This weekend was amazing! Like I can't even put into words the fun we had as a family. We went to San Diego. First stop Yo Gabba Gabba Live. Next up, 2 days at Sea World. Seriously the best family vacay we have ever had.

Instead of telling you all about it, I'll just show you all of the fun. We took a ton of pictures...only on our phones since we were too bust enjoying it to be photogs :)

Here are some of our favorites, minus the face shots of Little Man. Hopefully one day we will get to share those with you one day too.

Fun at our favorite hotel.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live: Get the Sillies Out

Sea World Fun Day One

Sea World Fun Day Two

These kids are Orca whisperers

And the group Favorite was....THE STARFISH

Want to know what else is fun? We have a winner for our Tasha's Sweets Giveaway is in! 

The Winner is Melissa Steele!

We will be e-mailing you soon so you can claim your prize.

A "Sweet" Giveaway

People! I cannot even explain how excited I am to introduce you to my friend Tasha today. This girl is an example of being obedient to the Lord and the fast rising success of her business is proof of His faithfulness when we follow His plans.

I could go on and on telling you about how great this lady and her amazing chocolates are but I'm gonna let her tell you about it all for me. OH, and she is being so kind as to offer us a giveaway! So meet Tasha and then enter the giveaway and of course order some yummy chocolates.

Hello, first and foremost I am the daughter of the King. My name is Tasha-Ann, and  I love Jesus.  I am a Wife and Mother of two with a 12 year age gap.  I have a servants heart. I am very blessed with the love for what I do. I enjoy making others happy and I seem to be able to do that well, through their stomachs.  I am so blessed to be able to stay at home with my little honey.  My husband is Awesome.  He has been such a cheerleader for me.  I have been through a lot in my life.  Most of which I brought on myself.  I have known Jesus practically my whole life but have chosen to ignore him for a lot of it.  Praise the Lord for Grace.  Since I've fell back in love with him, life has been so much better.  I am blessed beyond anything I could dream.

I have been casting chocolate since I was about 12 or 13.  My mom brought home a 50lb box of chocolate and a bunch of molds and that was the start of something awesome.  I taught myself. I have been trying to get my daughter to help me make candy but she only likes to eat the finished product. 

Tasha-Ann's Sweet Treats started getting serious about 1 year ago.  When I realized that I had a product that people wanted.  I have always loved making candy, and that was usually what I always brought to anything I was invited to.  Even though friends and family knew what I did, it just wasn't on their mind to share.  This is something that people need to see.  They have no idea sometimes, the candy that I can make. So after much thought and tons of encouragement from many people I started a page on FB.  Since I have done that the Lord has blessed me.  I get to glorify him, give him thanks and praise while making others happy and bringing some joy to their event.   I am blessed to still continue being at home and work my business.

My Mission is to bring some expensive looking candy to your event for budget friendly price.  Custom candy like this is not hugely available because the cost is so high.  I believe your party favor should be edible or useful.  Why spend all that money on something that someone will throw away, when you can spend all the money on something that someone will get to eat?  I love doing this so much, I wish I could just give it away.  (We will later.) Yay!

My inspiration comes from my friends and family.  As soon as I have a theme, I take it and run.  When I find a candy mold that I know someone would enjoy I try to make it for them.  It brings me much joy to bring joy to others.  That is my way of telling you I LOVE YOU!  

I specialize in Chocolate Lollipops for almost any occasion, theme, or event.  Candy comes in many different colors.  All colors are white chocolate flavored.  I am able to fill some molds (depending on size) with cookies, caramel, sprinkles, graham crackers, marshmallows, cake pop filling and so on for an additional cost.  I am getting more creative with my fillings by the day.  I also offer Chocolate covered pretzels, strawberries (in season), marshmallows and soon will be introducing cake pops, but in the form of a candy mold. For the pops I make homemade buttercream icing.

I try very hard to keep my prices low.   I do all this by hand and alone.  The more notice for an order the better. I give free samples at scheduled appointments.  I like to see your invitations and color scheme at our appointment.  That way I get a better Idea of what you would like.  I can mail out orders however it will be an additional fee. More time for order to be fulfilled would be required on a mail order. Delivery is available, cost will vary.

I will be introducing new items in the summer since I am so limited on selling candy.  (melts at body temperature).  I am able to make chocolate during the summer as long as your event is indoors and the nights are cooler, otherwise its a no go. Get orders in early for winter holidays.  I will be limiting my orders and closing shop temporarily so I can have time with my family.

My favorite candies to make, are the novelties.  I love quirky, funny, "oh my gosh I didn't know you could make that", kind of candy.  I have a big "Golden Ticket"  candy mold.  So Fun.  All pieces come individually wrapped in cellophane and tied.

I believe the Lord has plans for me that He has not revealed yet. The one thing I hope you take away from reading this, is that you see the Love Christ has for you.  As I am writing this I feel the Lord tell me that someone will read this and she will feel broken.   I don't know who that is, but what I do know is that God is so faithful and Loving and he loves YOU!  I am so humbled to have been asked to share Tasha-Ann's Sweet Treats with you.  It will be an absolute pleasure to serve you, and a honor to have my Sweet Treats at your next event. 


Ummm, she's pretty stinkin' cool huh? I knew you would love her. Want to love her even more? Tasha is offering the winner of our giveaway a box of either 30 baby shower or birthday themed chocolates. That is a prize worth at least $45 y'all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chevron Quilt {Part 2}

Ok so last time we left off just finishing up our quilt blocks. To see that post click here. Today we will be making the quilt top and the back.

The first step of this is to lay out all of your blocks. Move them around until you are happy with their placement.

Side Note: if you have a wild 11 month old roaming around your home, wait until they nap...trust me...

Once you are happy with your placement, you are going to start piecing them together. Start with either the top or bottom row. Seam up each block to the next with a 1/4"-1/2" seam allowance.

Once you have completed a row, press open all of the seams. This is going to help you get straight and pretty lines.

Piece the next row. At this point, instead of moving on to the next row, I like to sew the rows together. This is preference. You can sew and press every row first but I like to see my quilt come together as I go.

After sewing each row together, press those seams open as well.

Your top is finished.

Up next is the back. I like a simple backing but not too plain. For this quilt, I decided on a simple pieced stripe on a solid back.

First things first, measure your top. That is the size you want the back. I know I am a genius. Ha.

Ignore my nasty, in need of paint, nails!

I then decided on the width I wanted my stripe. 10" before sewing. Cut the remainder of the size out of your main fabric. Cut you 10" pieces. I did varying sizes on my pieces that made up the stripe, just for fun.

Sew up your stripe. Press open the seams. Then sew it to the two solid pieces. And done.

Photo was clearly take before ironed or loose thread was removed :/

Next week: quilting and binding oh my! 

 Part Three can now be sound Here

Chevron Quilt {Part 1}

It has been so long since I started planning Rhiannon's bedroom. We decided that instead of doing a theme we would just go for all out girly. I made the mistake of letting her choose the color scheme. I mean,I love the colors she chose but to find coordinating fabrics was quite the challenge. After looking for hours I eventually just took her to the store with me and let her pick some of her favorites.

We decided on a few fabrics from Moda, the Sophie by Chez Moi collection, I love the whole scheme that she chose. We coordinated with a few different solid colors. I knew from the get go that I wanted her to have a Chevron quilt. I'm a little upset with Chevron... don't bring it up to my husband it is a touchy subject in our house, as in he teases me constantly.

My original plan was to do one post of the whole process of the quilt, with some sort of tutorial for you. However, it's been a work in progress for months since things have been so chaotic. I decided just to break it up. Today's post will show you the first few steps and we will eventually link all of the post together to show you step-by-step how to create the quilt.

I started by cutting squares of each fabric at 8 inches. Once cut, I laid them face to face. Solid colored fabric to printed fabric facing right sides together.

Once you have your pieces facing right side together measure the very center and put a line a quarter inch in on each side. These lines will be where you are actually placing your seam. Once your seams are there you can cut straight down the center from corner to corner. This will give you a triangle open your triangle, making a square and press the seams open.

These squares are your quilt blocks. Easy Peasy. A couple minutes and one block is complete.

Once you have all of your blocks created you will flip-flop them, for lack of a better definition, making your entire quilt. I think looking at it would be the best way to figure this out since I can't quite figure out how to word it. Basically you are flipping in and making larger triangles. Which then turn in to dips and peaks of your zig zag or Chevron. See what I mean? I just cant put it into words. Haha.

***Don't forget to snip the little tails off of your blocks before piecing. These images were taken before I did that.***

This is where I will be leaving you off this week. It should take you long enough to do this part anyways depending on the size of your quilt. Rhiannon's quilt will end up being a twin to full-sized quilt.

The next post and the next step of this quilt will be to sew up your quilt top and piece your quilt back, because really no one wants a solid back, right? I will see you hopefully next week with the completed top!

{Part 2} 

{Part 3}

Overnight Success

About four years ago, after having our first born, we had this glorious plan. A business that would allow me to stay home with our child and future children. We would open up shop and it would be grand. Sales bringing money flying through the doors. We prayed to God, we knew it was in His plan for me to be home with the kids. We knew that it was what was best for our family. He had called us to so much and this was just what would make it all doable.

It's funny how we think we know everything. Not to say that me being home wasn't part of His plan for us, we know now that it really was but we were going about our lives in all the wrong ways. We saw the end goal but forgot about all that needed to come first. Obedience.

I remember sitting at a blogging conference (Creative Estates) a few years ago and listening to one of the speakers, Megan, at Brassy Apple as she said "It took 5 years to become an overnight success". I remember thinking, "Come on God, that could be me. Bring on the buisness, I'm ready. We can do this together". It didn't happen. I didn't understand why God wasn't responding. Didn't He want me home?

Fast forward a few years. We had given up on our plan. We finally said, this business is a passion and we will continue on but just because I love it. The extra cash has been nice but it clearly isn't gonna pay the bills.

God had been calling us to so much. Ministries, foster care, homeschooling. Time consuming, mama needs to be at home kind of stuff but He wasn't providing the extra income. You know what? I stayed home anyway, still working very part time from home. We decided to take a leap of faith. Trust in God. Be obedient to His call regardless of our fears. We were ready to be a Vessel for Him. To simply use this little business to bring Him glory.

 {Printable}

Do you know what happened next? After 4 years of busting my butt, Vessel was an over night success. No where near the success that the speaker had but as much as I could handle. We have had to hire a seamstress, I have another friend who is a seasonal assistant. Things got real. Why now? Did the quality change? Did I promote more? Did I invest more? No. None of the above. We were running business as usual. With less effort in fact. What changed, is our hearts. We stopped relying on ourselves. We stopped trusting in talents and promotions and started trusting in God.

We were finally being obedient. God wanted us to step back and say "God we trust you. We trust you with our finances, with our family, with it all."

Guys, God is good. He is faithful. He is always there. Sometimes all it takes is for us to stand back and trust in Him to do the work. To carry our burdens and our fears.

What are you trusting in God for today? What prayers are you waiting to be answered?

Are you willing to listen, to be obedient? Share your prayer with us. Step out in faith and let's pray together, hold each other accountable.

If I've learned anything, it is that if our heart lines up with His plan, our prayer will be fulfilled. If it doesn't line up, He will go above and beyond what we could ever imagine. His plan is far greater than our own, let's start handing it over and letting Him awe us.

It's a...

For those of you who follow us on InstaGram or Facebook, the answer will be no surprise. It was plastered everywhere Sunday night. We would like to invite you anyway to walk through our Gender Reveal party with us.

I told Steven as soon as we found out we were pregnant that since this will likely be our last pregnancy (only fostering after this one), I want to everything that I have ever wanted to do with the others. The first on that list was a gender reveal party.

If you know me well, or really much at all, you know that surprises are not my thing. I hate them. I dread them. I get angry when my husband says there is going to be one. So people were shocked at my decision to do this. Don't let me fool you though. I went to a place that does the ultrasound at 13 weeks and then had the party the very next day. And will power? I had zero.

Saturday after our ultrasound, I immediately dropped the "results" off with my friend Stefani, who I bothered about the answers all day. I am weak people. I thought I might die of torture. It was bad. I am pathetic. Ha!

Onto the party.

The theme of the party? Cute and fun. I don't know. Not  a real theme. I saw a color scheme I liked and went with it.

I wanted simple and pretty.

My friend Gaby made these beautiful pinwheels to hang above my little centerpiece.  The vases were simple. Frappacino bottles wrapped with paper.

 

My mom and I made some pom poms, hung them above the "Cravings" table.I unfortunately didn't snap a picture of those.

It was lots of fun.

Eventually I couldn't wait any longer so we ripped into the box.

 

IT'S A BOY!!!!

We had everyone guess the name we chose for the gender they voted for and gave gift cards who guessed correctly.

I'm so excited we will be having another sweet boy! His name will be Corbin Grey Murphy and we cannot wait to meet him!

I'm back!

Well, it has been over a month since I have posted here. It doesn't feel like that long.

I am happy to say that I am feeling human again. Still sick. Sick all the time. But human.

I am excited to get back to blogging. I have missed it. I have some fun projects I am working on that I would love to share. I hope to be able to stay fairly consistent here but no promises.

For now, how about an update?

I am 11.5 weeks pregnant. I am eager for the morning/all day sickness to start fading away. This pregnancy I have been far more sick than the others. Zofran was my bestfriend with Talon, this time, it's a bit of a joke. No relief.
We are looking forward to finding out the gender. I will not be the woman to wait for the delivery room. If you can do that, good for you. Really. I am not that woman. I am the woman who will peek at presents and ruin surprises. I cannot wait.

Things with little man have not changed much at all. In fact we have been at a standstill. The only change that we have seen in progress (of the case, not his birthparents <- that's confidential) is that we now are doing visitations. Court dates have been postponed like crazy and we have no idea where we stand. Which is a difficult place to be. For now, we are loving on him like crazy and we will continue to do so. He is a complete joy to anyone who is near him.

Rhiannon is back is school. It was nice to have a break from homeschooling over the holidays but she was so thrilled to get back to it today. Well, until half way through when she proclaimed "I just wanna play with my brothers!!!"

In the shop...well it's busy. It has been busy since before Thanksgiving and hasn't really stopped. I have not had a chance to restock. We had our insta-sale before Christmas to clear out and I was hoping to open with a fresh new stocked and loaded shop. But our aprons have been such a hit that it is all there is time for right now. It's a good problem to have. Y'all are helping me to stay home with my babies and I cannot thank you enough for that.

We have big plans for this year. Plans for the business and our family and ministry. We are so excited for what the year holds for our not so little family.

How have you all been while I was away? Anything exciting happening on your end?