adventures with matthias

It was Steve's day off, but David had school today. Every Friday I think about keeping David home so we can play as a family. But he loves school and they really challenge him. Plus, it's good for Matty to have some time alone with mommy & daddy. So with a twinge of sadness, we dropped him off with his amazing teachers and headed downtown for some fun...

Matty fed the meter. What a good helper!

Banana pancakes a good hug with daddy

On the floor of the "Thomas Store" (aka Ross) admiring his new treat.

Saying hi to the sweet kitties at the pet store

Playing in a tent at the sporting good store

Then he climbed out of the tent and said "Let's go get David". I felt the same way.

some new stuff...

Sterling Cuff. This is a great, easy piece that slips on. The cuff can accomodate up to 30 characters, so it's great for a longer phrase or a bunch of names. Each letter and space count as one character. A freshwater pearl dangles from the end of the cuff. $72
Initials Necklace. This necklace has two 3/4" discs stamped with a single, large initial. Fun and simple! Two discs are included with the necklace $40, additional discs are $12.

One of these will be my featured design (aka on sale) for September. Which is your favorite??

chocolate chip cookies

they LOOK delicious and the boys loved them. but we made them with whole wheat flour and splenda and they were okay, but not delicious like I'd hoped. they are kind of fluffy. anyone know a really good whole wheat, low sugar recipe for chocolate chip cookies?? or may be whole wheat, low sugar defeats the purpose entirely!!

school started today

when we got there, mr. independent turned to me and said "no hold my hand." gosh, he's young to be so confident!
david was camera shy this morning but seemed really pleased to back at school.
i was looking forward to a little 'me' time but i found my self missing them all day! it's so fun to watch them grow but it's so hard to let go.

using my tools in new ways...

and thinking outside the box. these are so whimsical.

good times...

before our friends arrive for pizza and brownies, steve tried to take a nap, but david wanted to play.
earlier in the day, i got bored sitting next to matty's on the potty seat for two hours (a story for another time!), so i planned a little craft to go along with the hungry caterpillar story. the kids loved it--the foam sheets and wiggly eyes are from walmart
after the craft, steve read the book to the kids
this girl's got sass. love the boots!
it was so nice to hang out and talk while the kids ran around and played.

off to the post...

and i've already been there twice this week! thank you, thank you for helping my little business grow! it has been so exciting. i am definitely experiencing the growing pains and thank you for those of you who have been patient when things have taken a couple days longer than planned. i dreamed of my business growing and expanding and seeing it do so, is so fun. i feel like i have friends all over the world who love my family and support my creations. thank you!

more handmade brass...

sweet, brass bird charms are hung from a cream, coin-shaped, freshwater pearl. These earrings dangle about 1 1/2" below the ear. SOLD

I love this butterfly pendant. It's about 2" from wing to wing and total length of the necklace is 17" (just below the collar bone). A cream freshwater pearl dangles next to the pedant. SOLD

Perfect for everyday...these open hearts are hung from a handmade brass ring. Total length of earrings is about 2" below the ear. SOLD

My favorite lately! A long handmade brass chain with a large toggle in the front is strung with genuine aquamarine, a handmade brass cross and a bronze freshwater pearl. This is a long necklace--it hangs just above the belly button. SOLD

thought this was sweet...

daddy & david

check this out...

isn't this the sweetest notebook cover EVER?! Kathy Mack and I did a little swap--a necklace for a THIS and I'm pretty sure I made out like a bandit!! So many perfect details, like, pencil pockets and buttons closure--I think I'm in love! She is so creative and so sweet. Check out her blog, Pink Chalk, for inspiration and to get a hold of her amazing patterns (for all you sewers!) Happy Tuesday :)

happy birthday to us...

well i guess our birthday was technically yesterday seeing as its 1:20am! we are officially thirty-three. i think i feel more comfortable in my skin than i ever have--but its a constant process!! here's some pics from our day..

chrissie and i

matty helps me eat my chocolate cake

after dinner with our friends Michelle and her sweet kiddos, we took all the kids to the park to play because they were running around like maniacs!

david had a blast on the sit & spin!

here he is giving daddy a big squeeze

we stayed until past dusk and made the walk back to the car
Then steve put the boys to bed & chrissie and i went out for frozen yogurt, a walk around walmart (which was the only thing open!) and a late movie--stardust. so fun, i highly recommend seeing it! it's good to be 33!

Would you rather...

Lose 10 pounds

OR

Get an amazing haircut?

elfin forest

we spent some time with the cheney's last night. lindsey & i took the kids for a walk around the elfin forest. then we all had dinner. the kids had a blast and then all melted down at the end. except for david and baby silas! it was sooo good to be together!


my email is acting a bit funny, so if you haven't heard from me--feel free to email again!

A balancing act...

I have been inspired by handmade brass lately. Here are some playful earrings with a key, coin and bronze freshwater pearl hanging from a hammered ring. They hang about 1 1/2" below the ear. I am trying to figure out how to display all my various wares online, keep my boutiques stocked, make enough jewelry to show at my open houses--and keep my sanity! The hand-stamped sterling jewelry has done so well (thank you!!) and I don't want to overwhelm you all--or myself. So I'll post the brass pieces every now & then until I get in a good groove managing everything! These are $24 if anyone is interested. Happy Wednesday!!

girl time

I got to hang out with my good friend Katie last weekend. Steve had a seminar all weekend so we played with the boys and also got some girl time. She was a huge help and a great companion. It was nice to be together and talk and be real. Check out her fun blog on the side bar!

aren't these sweet?

They are handmade polymer clay pendants. So unique and one of a kind!

brown on sky blue with bronze freshwater pearls & czech glass. about 18" $48

black on cream with jet black beads. about 18" SOLD

black on sky blue with grey and black czech beads. about 18" SOLD

fun at the park...

mommy pushing david on the swing.


david having a BALL on the swing (in his tiny converse--kills me!!)


david & daddy on the see saw.


matty and some headless woman on the see saw :)


david cruising


steve and matty went down the slide quite a few times like this--they are crazy!

just delightful...

I am so excited that my blog is featured in delightfulblogs.com. Go check out this great site with all kinds of creative blogs. Click on Fashion + Designers and you'll see my blog featured at the top, right corner of the page! Feel free to rate me, too!

He's also got a lot to do...

he's got to build tall towers

and knock them down.

volunteer with the jr. fire department

help mommy vaccuum

and have a jam session with daddy