A Special Treat

You simply MUST check out Erika's latest post.  I love the pictures she posted.

http://te-senneff.blogspot.com/2011/06/these-pictures-make-me-cry.html#comments

A Photo

Most photos carry with them an entire story.  Most are special just to one or two people.  I think that this picture I am posting is beautiful.  It probably isn't a show-stopper to anyone but me.  But, I just want to include it here on my blog/journal as one of my favorite photos of all time.

On Memorial Day, as you could not have missed it, we spent the day at the hospital with our daughter Erika.  She was in labor most of that time.  She gave birth to our sweet little El.  .  There was a lot of hustle and bustle all day and our darling photographer, Mandi Taylor, who Erika and Tyler asked to come and photograph "the baby story" (it's the latest in the baby world) was able to capture this quiet little moment.

I love it.  I loved watching my babies sleep.  I loved watching them sleep as toddlers.  Nothing has changed.  I love the beautiful, peaceful aura around the sleeper.  Thanks, Mandi, for having such a great eye to catch those sweet moments.

So much ahead of her.  She will make an amazing mother.

I'm Having a Moment

This is one of those moments I dreamed about as a little girl.  I'm sitting  here in my rocking chair (like a good grami should be) rocking my new little granddaughter, Eloise.

In the next room, Melissa and her fiance are sitting across from each other at a craft table cutting out and fluffing up their tissue paper flowers which will show up on August 13 on a table at their wedding reception.  I can't hear every word, but there is a quiet whisper as they talk about their future hopes and dreams.  There is love in those whispers of words I can't really hear.

Upstairs, I can hear the soft mumble of a television where I know that my youngest daughter, Erika, sits with her husband enjoying a quiet moment alone together.

My dear husband, Terry, is wayyyyyy upstairs suffering from pneumonia. (at least I know where he is!)  I hate that he is sick on Father's Day of all days.  I am so in love with him.  He has been such an amazing father to those two girls (as well as to his other four who, unfortunately, live in other cities and states!)

And, one more picture to add to this bliss is the picture of our three dogs.  Yup!  The dogs.  For all the times I have cursed them, I know that they are a huge part of this household.  Yes, I do love them.

Life is good.

My First Order

I did it!  I got my first order.  It wasn't from the Etsy site, rather, it was a custom order based on the items on that site.  It is for a very special little 18 month old girl all the way in Massachusetts named Emmeline.  Want to see it?  Here it is:

Turquoise and Pink
Ruffly Ruffle

And just for fun

as a little surprise...

Remember to check it out and spread the word!

Who Here Likes Shopping?

Boy I've neglected my blog.  You'd think that with all of this "extra" time on my hands, what with being a teacher and all, I'd be a bloggin' fool.  Nope.  I've been busy doing other things.  Like giving lots of sugar to my new granddaughter, Eloise.  I promise I won't make reference to her in every post I make.


Besides being obsessed with Elle, I have been working on my own Etsy shop.  Yup!  This is something I've been wanting to do for a while now.  Plus, I thought it would be a great way to make a little cash to help pay for Melissa's very exciting upcoming wedding. It's funny how scared I was to actually jump in and try to sell my wares over the internet.  What if no one buys anything? What is people think my work is ugly?  What if some stalker dude starts stalking my shop?

Before I could press that key to "open" the shop, I had two big decisions to make.

Name of the shop:

Now, I know that only a small number of you will know what this means and why I picked it, but as Erika and I sat calling out names and checking availability, when I shouted (and I DID shout it out)
                              "Mrs. Malty"

My best friend Kathe replied:  "Who the HECK is Mrs. Malty?  Is she like, Mrs. Doubtfire?"  No, Kathe.  It is actually the name of a very special story that has been handed down for many generations through my mother's line.  It is oral.  I'm not sure it has ever been written down.  I've often wanted to write it out and have Terry illustrate it.  But, I really feel like it would take away some of it's charm.  I recently told it to my twin granddaughters Lyla and Olivia.  I always hold my breath for the desired effect at the end.  Sure enough..."Tell it again!"  It is very special.

So...that's how that name came to be.  However, when I was signing up, for some reason, I ended up with TWO shops named "Mrs. Malty".  So, if your looking for it, here is the link.  Or search the shops for "CANADIANTAMI".

What to sell:

I've been obsessed with making, yes making, baby/toddler shoes.  I really wanted to sell those (and I will add them later) but it didn't feel right.  Then, I wanted to sew children's dresses (and I will add them later) but that didn't feel right.  Then, out of my own curiosity, I taught myself to do shirring.  It is really simple and I made up a few skirts.  Then added a bodysuit and a headband.  I took it to Erika in the hospital and she loved it.  In fact, baby Eloise wore her little outfit home from the hospital.  

Cute little shoes

Cute little dresses

Here's the real deal:

I just love the little skirts and tops.  The little rosettes on the bodysuit and headband are so sweet.  They was up really nicely as well.  All in all, I'm very pleased with the outcome.

I hope you will all at least visit my new Etsy shop.  It's lots of fun to do.  I do custom orders and requests.  Spread the word.  Get me some customers.  :)

This is my favorite set. 

Three Wednesday Favorites

I love this little girl who has suddenly found herself to be a full-grown mother!
Tyler took this picture over my shoulder as I applied
the requested "water-proof" mascara. Though she really never needs any
man-made enhancement,
She is so beautiful.
Motherhood looks amazing on her.


Moving on...

...and that is all I need to say about that!