Strep.

May 13, 2008

They are gone now to their little beds, but for the past 3 days we have made this of Mommy's sheets. Hot little bodies, achy muscles, soar throats and lots and lots of lots of snuggles. Babies with strep throat is never welcome, but I sure don't mind the extra loving. Even at 3 am. Even with pink medicine stains on my shirts. Even with a shop that is a little behind with shipping. Even when laundry is piling. I would rather have snuggles and hugs with my feverish babies than a perfect house any day. I can't always say that, but something about having sick little ones reminds me that my house isn't going to grow up and get too big for my lap someday. So dishes in the sink...quit your whining. These little divas come first.

Called to serve.

May 13, 2008

My baby brother (ok, ok...he is 19) has chosen to go on a mission for our church. He will be gone for 2 years serving and teaching. He just received his mission call in the mail yesterday (missionaries do not choose where they serve, they are assigned) and he will be in...dun dun dun...
Geneva, Switzerland speaking French!!! For the next two years, he will be serving the Swiss people, strengthening families, teaching the scriptures and serving in the communities there. He will also travel to Belgium, Luxenburg and Eastern France. We are so proud of you Christopher!

Best day.

May 12, 2008

Thanks for the finger painting
The clean kitchen
The folded laundry
The spring flowers
The cards
The kisses
The wonderful dinner
The new blender (no "Father of the bride" moments here:)
The scheduled hair appt (Yes...Kenneth called the salon all on his own)
The new apron
The snuggles and hugs
The first time hearing Ian say "hop-py Mama Day"
And for being my biggest fan club.

I love being a mom, but I love you guys more.
Degeega.

Our newest additions to the family.

May 11, 2008

Well I finished the shows...sold a bit, traveled a bit, didn't sleep a bit...but traded a bit! I love trades, and I think I may have just landed on my BEST trade ever.

Let me give you some back story:

Santa brought Addie and Ian Bla Bla dolls for Christmas. I LOVE these dolls, and didn't know how Addie and Ian would respond to them (no batteries, blinking lights or frills here!) and was SO pleased when on Christmas morning they became adopted as their new best friends. They named their dolls "Sheesha" and "Monkey Friend." Sheesha and Monkey Friend have been nearly adoptive children in our family ever since. Addie and Ian do everything with them. But, selfishness gets the best of all of us, and more often than not Addie and Ian would fight over who got to play with both of them at the same time. Addie insisted that Sheesha needed a dance partner and best friend. Ian doesn't take rejection well.

Well, my problem was solved last night when at the Beehive Bazaar I ran into Susan from Persimmon and Pink who makes these INCREDIBLE stuffed animals. I was so excited when she wanted to trade 2 prints for two dolls...and let me tell you. These are AMAZING!! The fabric is to die for and the quality...just great.

These two cats have now been with us for 12 hours, and now instead of 2 adopted children, we have 4. They came to church with us, had breakfast with us, laid out in the sun with us, read stories with us, and even came close to getting in the bath. Mostly the kids are just excited that Sheesha and Monkey Friend aren't friendless any more. We immediately asked what their names were, and they came up with "Happy" and "Flower". Let me just say it is the cutest thing in the world to see your two year old son prancing around the room with his Japanese fabric cat rhythmically chanting "Happy Happy Happy Happy!"

Welcome to the family! Left to Right: Flower and Sheesha, Monkey Friend and Happy.

And Susan, if you are reading this...Please oh Please open an ETSY shop soon. Her shop Persimmon and Pink is just getting started, but you can see more darling stuff here on her blog. But I hope other kids will be making new friends like these this summer!

Stay tuned for more Sheesha and Flower, Happy and Monkey Friend adventures...

Happy Site Friday.

May 9, 2008

OK folks. I am a little behind today. Well, I am behind on a lot of things. Note to self: Most things go on hold when getting ready for a show.

So, now that I am behind and feeling that pile to the left of my keyboard getting higher and higher (my "do it soon" stash) I find this article particularly helpful today.

So, without much ado: READ THIS and you will be ready to be clean and enjoy spring.
Hint: if you are needing a little more emotional freedom from clutter, this is for you.
(Brought to you by Apartment Therapy).

And when you are done reading this, go clean a corner, then get out and smell the flowers. Happy Mother's Day everyone!!

OH, and remember: All clearence items in the shop are gone after tonight. Yep. A shop has to be clean and neat too! And....all UTAHN's! Get over to the Beehive Bazzaar and Oh Sweet Sadie. You will be blown away.

Ariadne and Sarah at home.

May 9, 2008

I love this blogging world. Being a young mom with young kids, I don't travel much anymore and I don't get out as much as I used to. Those are the two negatives about being a mom. The only two. (Well, the wider hips aren't my favorite either).

Blogging has changed all that for me. (Well, not the hips part).

Remember a few "Happy site Friday's" ago when I posted about Ariadne at home? I went as far to mention how I would do anything to get a hold of their magazine (they don't ship to the US). Well, my new dear pen pal Tania immediately emailed me to share that because she lives in Belgium, she could get a copy on her way home from work. And let me just tell you....I have made a new best friend. TWO new best friends. Tania....and Aridne.

I just got my hands on the Children's edition, and I am still pouring over it ( I have had it for a week now). The colors, freshness, hand-made-ness, the scandinavian modern meets traditional, etc. etc. etc. I AM IN LOVE!

Somehow, getting a style magazine from Belgium (and knowing that there probably aren't that many people in the US that have this sitting on their coffee table) has just made my month. I have always had travel in my blood, and thanks to my new blogging friend, my need to be overseas has been satisfied (at least for now:)

Thank you Tania!!! You might also want to visit her new ETSY store...she is super talented! I have some of her handmade children's accessories, and they are DARLING!!

Mother's Day Weekend.

May 6, 2008

Tonight and tomorrow will be days I will want to soon forget with all the work that goes into getting ready for TWO shows. Yes, there are two shows that lie on the same weekend. Just when I thought that I was prepared and ready to go, I find myself covered in paper scraps and cello sleeves. You should just see my office. Yikes! Cleaning it will be a project itself!

Well, no hilarious children's sayings and no big news except to say:

SUPPORT MY TIRED FRAMING AND WRAPPING FINGERS AND COME SHOP THESE TWO SHOWS THIS WEEKEND!

Just kidding. No really, Come anyways, cause you will want to see the incredible goods that people can come up with. Truly talented people out there. I love handmade. Ok...back to printing and paper cutting...

Spring Cleaning.

May 5, 2008

Well, for most people, Spring Cleaning has already happened. And it has in our house, but this week, I am doing some spring cleaning in the shop.

I have a lot of prints in my shop that 1) are not consistent with my style that I have created, 2) haven't sold enough of them to justify keeping them or 3) I really don't like.

SO......this week, I will be having a clearance SALE for these items. They will be GONE by the end of the week.