Full of Thanksgiving

I am so thankful for this sweet little face.

I am so thankful that we are able to send him to such a wonderful preschool.

I am so thankful for all the little friends he has.

I am so thankful for all the wonderful things in my life.

I am so blessed and lucky to have all that I have and I want to work harder each and every day to remember how blessed I am.

A Walk Through My Olivia's Room

We've lived in our house for 15 months. We've done a few decorating projects here and there. But our first true room redo was on our little Olivia's room.

The youngest of three and the only girl. I had, had to make her room girly. What could be more girl than {Tiffany Box Blue}?!

I brought my box to Lowe's and they were able to match it perfectly! I love her room. Oh to be a young girl again.

Her room is filled with many handmade projects and lots of things she loves.


I love that in Olivia's room even a play cell phone has a place to rest it's head.

Here on a shelf high above is a print done by Elaine Biss. Also, a Tiffany catalog waiting for it's frame.

I love this little corner of her room where she can sit and admire or read books or whatever a little three year old would do on a happily decorated adirondack chair.

Maybe my favorite project of all time are these canvases decorated with fabric and personalized with Miss Olivia's name. Thank Sandi Henderson for the perfect fabric!

A little girl's room wouldn't be complete without a hand painted, personalized headboard. Great bargain headboard from Goodwill for $1.50. Can't we all use a bargain like that this time of year?!


This little girl is also lucky enough to have a talented Boonie {altered Polish for Grandmother} who handmade Olivia a doll for her birthday and even embroidered a special message.

Speaking of embroidery. The Easter Bunny a few years back was busy making personalized tooth fairy pillows for her children. I loved how this one looked until a certain little girl slept with it one night and drooled all over it. Continuing on, I threw together this vintage paper doll collage that reminds me of good times as a little one.

You can't really get the idea from this picture but there is fishing line strung across her room on which colorful butterflies make their way around her room. The shadow's at night when we only have the one little light on are amazing to fall asleep to.

So that's the tour of My Olivia's Room. How about you? What kind of fun things have you done to make your children's a special place for them to make dreams?

More of The Little Black Boxes-Part 3

See! I'm telling you. There is no shortage of goodies in this bag you get. Still more. Here we go. . . .

Capella's Garden Soap Co. included a Plumeria Bath Bomb Sample. Smells very fresh and I will be using this this week as the kids are off school for THREE days. Count them with me 1, 2, 3!! Another coupon code on the back as well for free shipping.


On to sugar. I may pop this in my mouth as I tubby with my bath bomb. Sweet Lolly Shop included a sampling of one of their Barley Pops. This was in the shape of a Vampire {remember I got the October box}. The Lolly Shop deals in {Delicious Homemade Lollipops & Unique Soaps for All Occasions Birthdays, Weddings, Baby Showers, Stocking Fillers & More}


I love a good key fob. I love them because they are all so pretty. If I were childless and had more time to think of my accessories before I walked out the door I may just have a key fob to match each outfit. Deanne Designs included a beauty. Nice heavy black with an assortment of green stitching. Too cute!


Worn Dress Designs incuded a very whimsical, fun necklace. Also included was a coupon code for a future purchase. The card included in the giveaway described Worn Dress Designs as {unique, mostly one of a kind creations. Specializing in hand drawn jewelry, blank books, and soap. Worn Dress is a one stop shop for all of your needs.} I love that! Who doesn't love ONE STOP.


This is the time of year to start thinking about card giving. Deb's Designs sent along a nice sample of a seasonal card they have to offer. Included was a coupon code for free cards. FREE. {with purchase of course} We all need a little free in our lives these days.


Foxy Monster {Baubles for Babes with Brains} I don't know where to start. So much time and thought and art went into the package from Foxy Monster. There was a pin and quite a few cards included in their package. The cards were postcards, coupon cards, business cards. An assortment. My suggestion is, go check out Foxy Monster and all they have to offer. You won't be disappointed.


Last for today, and in no way to equal least, is Christi Miller who is a mixed media artist and zine publisher. Again you must go and check out her stuff. It's so difficult to put into words and descibe all that was in the package she included. A cute little book entitled "An Art Medley" {A mini sampler of art zines available at material.etsy.com} Really, go look!

The Little Black Boxes Review-Part Deux

I'm loving pulling all of these great products out of my little black bag and trying lip gloss, sniffing tea, enjoying pretty pictures. I so recommend you head over to Kimberlee Keane's site and order yourself a November Little Black Box.

First Up!

Sara's Soaps 'n Such included a cute little Lip Bliss Peppermint Twist lip balm in the box this month. My lips are tingling from the peppermint feel. A 10% off your next purchase was even included on the back of the business card.


Liz from Lizzy J Designs {The fashionista of correspondence}{providing fashionistas with Invitations, Social Stationary, Paper Arts, and Gifts} included a simple but beautiful handmade card. You can read her blog here or visit her shop here.



So many goodies in the little purple package from CP Soap. There was a sample bottle of Sweet Pumpkin Clarifying Shampoo, Protein Enriched Conditioner, and So Broke Body Butter. Yummy! Also two small vials of perfume in Tiger and Orange Blossom.


Can you tell I'm loving this?!

I love my books. I keep books that I read and I love bookmarks because they remind me of the books that they have kept my place in. Katherine Quinn of Sleep and her Sisters included two very unique pieces of art. One on a magnet and the other a magnetic book mark. I will cherish that! Go check out her site for more examples of her originals, prints, stationary, and magnets.


Last for today {but certainly not least} are the teas from Blue Raven Tea. Yellow Plum Oolong and Maiden's Mead were the two samples I received. I have yet to drink them but I will tell you they smell amazing. Also included was a coupon for something free! Oooh! I love free!

Etsy Mom Giveaway

EtsyMom


The Etsymom Street Team is prepping for the holidays by taking the time-honored tradition of gift-giving to another level! Riding the wave of unity, harmony and excitement inspired by the Etsymom Trunk Show in September, our team tossed around a few ideas about our next team event. A little idea of having a giveaway, where Moms would donate an item to be given away each day of November on our blog has morphed into a SUPER GIVEAWAY!! When the call for volunteers went out we had an overwhelming response of over 60 shops willing to donate a $10.00 in value item to this cause. Two winners will be randomly chosen everyday to receive one of over 50 prizes.. Donations will range from an assortment of hand embroidery, vintage finds, hair clippies, baby accessories, paper crafts, earthenware pottery and more. Perfect for gift-giving! There is a little bit of everything, so whether you like trendy, shabby chic, traditional or retro styles, you're sure to find something! Don't miss this ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA. Visit us here beginning November 1st for giveaway rules and deadlines!

The Little Black Boxes-Part 1

There were so many great products in the box I got from Kimberlee Keane of The Little Black Boxes that I have to break these blog posts down into parts. All week I will be describing the products and linking to all the great shops and sites.

Look at how full the bag was!


With no further ado*****

Beadbrat Originals included a beautiful pair of stud earrings. The earstuds are Silver filled wire and Czech glass. The earrings were attached to the business card. On the back of the business card was a coupon code for 15% off! All of this was wrapped up in a cute little bag with some orange fill. Very much to the season.


Dreamer's Web {Custom Novelty Soaps & Handmade Party Favors} included a Cucumber Melon Glycerin Soap. The smell is so fresh! A 10% off coupon code was included on the back of the business card.


I am in love with the cute little black and white polka dot zippered pouch that was included from Abba Dabba Bags. Monica Taylor also makes Diaper Bags, Wristlets, Handbags, and Totes.


Love, Laurie makes unique rippers, threaders, pincushions/statuettes and more, both beautiful and useful! A cute little threader that looks like a petit four was included. Looks good enough to eat.


Kiwi Punch Designs packaged up a cute little thank you card that has a beautiful hand sewn look. I will definitely be sending this to a close friend.

Aren't these some of the cutest trick or treaters you ever saw?!

I seriously only have four pictures from this past Halloween. Between three parties and trick or treating you'd think I'd have more!

It was such a challenge to get everyone dressed and ready and looking perfect every time. By the time I was able to pull out the camera I was exhausted. And that was if I remembered the camera.

Seriously, some moms need mommy helpers. I need an on staff photographer.

On another note, getting the mail on Saturday was exciting! I got my package from Kimberlee Keane at The Little Black Boxes!

I'm going to spend this week going through each and every piece that I got. I'm so excited. The bag was filled with so many great things. I'm going to try and link to everyone. This may help you with your "Handmade Holiday".

Come check it out this week here!

Closing up Shop {SALE}

Saucha Shop


I'm closing my doors on Etsy. Please go check out my shop and take advantage of the great sale prices.

The Secret is in the Sauce Bissell Giveaway

Go to The Secret is in the Sauce. Go now! You could win a new Bissell Healthy Home Vacuum!

Handmade Holiday

I have a huge desire this year to have a Handmade Holiday. I love to buy handmade gifts, make handmade gifts, give handmade gifts and get handmade gifts.

I am not the only one.

The Nester is supporting this movement as well. If you're looking for a great list of shops that sell handmade goods, go there.

In the meantime let me tell you about my great {stuff}.

I love to make accessories because I love to wear accessories. I have beaded jewelry, hand stamped silver jewelry, hair accessories and accessories for your home. Everything is handmade by me with love and attention to detail. If you don't see what your looking for, contact me. Chances are I can make it. I love to chat about handmade goods. All your items will come specially packaged and ready for gift giving.

Please join me in making this Holiday season a Handmade Holiday!

Handmade Glitter Skeleton Head

I ended up finding a plain old skeleton head at WalMart. $4.00 The glitter I got was just a plain craft glitter. The pieces were larger than the glitter from the Martha Stewart line. The difference in price was $5.50. So I went with the less expensive glitter to try to keep the cost down. You could still go with the Martha Stewart glitter and still be under the Pottery Barn price.

In total the project was simple.

Brush some white craft glue on the skeleton head. Make sure you get in all the little crevices. Put the glue covered head in a cardboard box. Begin to sprinkle on the glitter. Shake off the excess. Look for any bald spots and keep reapplying until you have your head covered to your likeness.

Super easy project with a great outcome!

Pumpkin Pictures

I love fall pictures.

There is something about the bright blue sky and bright orange pumpkins that just makes me smile.


Of course the kiddos in the pictures could have something to do with it also.

Apple Picking

I highly recommend an apple picking adventure as a great Fall family activity. I have Paulus' Family Orchard to thank!

I have never been apple picking until a few weekends ago. I know! Can you believe it? I've been strawberry picking and to a pumpkin patch as a kid but never apple picking.

We had such a blast!

I live for moments with the kids where I don't have to hear myself saying {Don't do that} or {Why did you do that}. That's why I love the beach with the kids. There aren't really any rules except {Have fun!} Now I can add apple picking to our list.

We chose to pick a half bushel of apples. We paid first and the man handed us a bag.

Our apple orchard had an extra section {of course you pay extra for it} with a corn maze and some great activities. There was a loose corn box {similar to a sand box} a play house and this amazing slide. Both my husband and I want to build this in our yard. I think young and old alike would get a thrill from going to down this slide!

We had three varieties of apples to choose from. We chose to pick all three. As we picked, the kids ate {we did too}. I have never tasted a better apple in my life! And the size of these apples. They were almost as big as grapefruits.

So we are eating apples and baking apples and making sauce and just having a {Gala} old time here in PA for apple picking season.


How about you? Do you have PYO {Pick your own} apple orchards in your area? Share some of your experiences.