Spool Dollies

A very special family gave this sweet Spool Dollie family to the girls for a "big sister" gift, when Sam was born. I was blown away to open the box and find these among all the thoughtful goodies last November. I feel like I need to thank her all over again.

So thank you, thank you, thanking thoughtful you!

She must have seen this post 6 months earlier and remembered them. Wow!!! I'll admit that I haven't let the girls play with them unattended yet and I doubt I will any time soon or at least until they mature out of the destructive phase they (ahem, I mean one of them) are in right now.

The dolls, and even the cat and dog, are made from vintage thread spools. I love that! They are expertly covered and painted by Erica Daley over on Etsy. These would make really fun Easter basket treats for your little one. You can find them in her store here.

Love the weiner dog, so cute! And Mama even has an apron on.

An IvyLane giveaway

IvyLane was recently interviewed by Michelle at A Boutique Buyers Blog. This is a fun place to visit and stay on top of what's happening in the boutique world, for buyers and designers. You can also learn more about IvyLane and enter to win a custom lounge set. The winner will receive a pair of ruffled pants from Debbie of Polkadots and Pigtails and an appliqued tee from Susan of Dollie Dimples Boutique. All you need to do is look at IvyLane's listings and then comment on the Boutique Buyers Blog about which one is your favorite. You have until this Thursday to enter. So what are you waiting for?

SIP

Recently, we went to a very special 3 year old's Birthday party. It was a fun, whirlwind of an afternoon, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Topped off with the most delish homemade chocolate cupcakes. And yes, I took way too many pictures. What's new?

I'm sad I missed the candles being blown out, but little man was hungry, and he waits for no one. It would have been neat to try my "eye" at fire (note to self - practice this at home). I still have a lot of work to do with getting my 50mm to focus on the appropriate subject. It's a bit tricky.

My cousin Gretchen owns SIP, a coffeebar, in the old Grain Belt Brewery, Keg House building. It's an amazing little spot in an artsy community. Jeremiah is an architect and designed the interior. How lucky did she get? They plan to give it an update soon and have asked me to make SIP some funky aprons. Can't wait!

Their little ones are almost the same ages as ours. I'm excited to see our kids, the second generation of cousins, grow up together like Gretchen, her brothers and I got to. I love my family, and Gretchen has always felt like the sister I never had.

I had a ton of fun using this tutorial for the first 3 photos. And I know I wasted at least 20 minutes trying to find the "orange gradient" effect. I almost gave up. Jeepers...I don't have that kind of time!!! If you decide to try it out and need help, just holler.

For you...I've gots that kind of time. ;)

Inside.
Don't you just love that squirrel?
I feel like I'm sitting on a park bench at the UofMN
(with my frap in hand of course).









Jeremiah made a huge playhouse in the front, out of cardboard. He had windows and a door and the kids loved it. We were asked to come in our "tea party" finery while the hostess provided hats and jewels. The little girls loved it!



The guest of honor was fashionably late and still a little sleepy from her nap.



Gretchen and her brother Johnny (ahem...I mean John, sorry Hon, old habits die hard). I'm pretty sure Jeremiah was taking pics too so I didn't get any of him. He's got the curly hair Miss M was blessed with. In fact there are a lot of wonderful people I missed. Like I said before, it was a whirlwind of an afternoon.



Happy Birthday Miss M, we love you!

feed me and "let's play ball"

Sam has become seriously interested in eating food. Now that the drool is non-stop and everything goes in his mouth, he is practically begging for table food. The other day he started squaking at me in earnest. Hmmm...could it be the spoon dipped in ice cream I gave him at my Grandma's last week? hehe Grandma promptly reminded me about how annoyed I had gotten with her 3 years ago when she did the same thing to one of the girls. Yep, things are different the second time around. We can officially start cereal in 3 weeks, but I think I'll just make him wait 2.

Eying Emily's PB&J. I know how you feel buddy.



The many faces of Sam, in all of 5 minutes.



And some pics from Sam's first modeling gig...hehe...

Spring training is here! We had our first super warm day of spring.
60 degrees and our snow is almost gone!!!



You can find Kori's baseball tee and booties over at Cutie Pies Couture. Kori is a good friend of mine. We live in the same city and our girls are in the same pre-school. She is just the sweetest gal you could ever hope to meet.

And the winner is...

*BriTneY*

She said: "Her shop is adorable! I loved all her stuff but my fav's were probably the handstamped ring and the cup of love necklace. Also LOVED the giveaway necklace! If I were to win I'd give it to someone who means A LOT to me and I would put her little boy and little girl's names on it."

Britney, congratulations! E-mail me at tadacreations(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your necklace!

Thank you to everyone that entered!
I loved reading your posts and checking out your blogs too.

In the Garden

I just listed a semi-custom, one-of-a-kind, 3 piece set for IvyLane's "In the Garden" launch. Fits sizes 2T/3T/slim 4T. The blouse is reversible and it's easy fitting a-line style would look cute on a 2T as an almost dress length. The pants haven't been finished yet so they are customizable in the waist and length.

Thanks for taking a peek here!

A Happy-Blogaversary-To-Me Giveaway

One year ago today, I started my blogging journey. Along the way, I have had the pleasure of getting to know so many wonderfully talented women. I am so glad to be a part of such a supportive community. To thank all of my faithful readers (and lurkers...hehe) I have teamed up with my friend Erin of The Vintage Pearl, for a fun giveaway.

Erin is giving away this gorgeous necklace to one of my lucky readers. Yippee! I picked this design because it includes her signature pearl and you can have up to 4 names stamped on it. Gotta love that! I especially love the domed shape of the silver circle and her new cursive font.

Wouldn't this look so pretty on you? Of course it would! But it would also make a memorable gift for say...Mother's Day, a Bride-To-Be, a new Mom, or any other special person in your life. This is the actual style of necklace you will receive, customized with the names of your choice of course.

I thought it would be fun to ask Erin a few questions, so you can get to know her better too.

Me: How did you get started making your gorgeous jewelry?

Erin: I originally started making jewelry for fun to match my sister in law's outfits (bella*tessa) on eBay. It just evolved and grew from there!

Me: What is your favorite piece to create?

Erin: I love making anything NEW, especially new pieces for Moms. I love when a Mom emails me with a new idea and together we create her a special piece that is unique!

Me: Does your family ever tire of hearing pounding as you stamp letters? LOL

Erin: YES!!!! Especially at night, after the kids are in bed and my husband is trying to unwind by watching sports or something on tv. I work on the kitchen counter, right next to the living room, so it's very loud and boy do I get some "looks" from him when I have alot of stamping to do, lol!!!!

Now...Here is what you've gotta do to win this beauty...
1 point - Visit Erin's shop and come back here to leave a comment. Let me know what other piece you love in her shop and what you would do with this one, should you be the winner.
2 extra points - Think of it as "extra credit," for signing up for my newsletter, over on the right. Let me know you did so in your comment. If you are already on there, well, you get 2 extra points too.
5 extra points - Blog this giveaway with a link back to me and I'll give you a big 'ole hug (in blogland, that's in the form of 5 extra points :O ).

I will draw a random winner next Thursday night.

Darling Ducky is ending soon...

...take a peek if you haven't yet.


I love this photo, but don't worry, if you are lucky enough to win this dollie, Allison has already forgotten about her. Out of sight, out of mind, is a good thing when you are 3. I'm making my girls coordinating dollies to go with their rooms, for their Easter baskets.



Find Darla the Dollie, and all he matching big girl clothes right here! I tell ya, this 9 piece collection was exhausting to make. I might not do a collection this big for a while. Emphasis on the "might" of course...you know me.