Never Too Old

I picked my girlies up from school today and they both were in rough shape.  They had good days, but were just spent.  Dayna, K-5, whined the whole way home and Emma, 2nd grade, could hardly breathe from allergies.  We got home and it was time for homework, piano practice, baths, dinner....the list goes on.  Emma was on the brink of a meltdown because "It's just too hard, I just can't do it!!" Normally, I am thinking "suck it up and quit complainin'" but tonight was just different.  I learned a valuable lesson.  You are never too old to be healed by sitting on your mama's lap. 

When I pulled my almost-8-year-old on my lap and just held her...it was like magic.  Her mood instantly improved and she was transformed back into herself again.  It's so hard to remember that she is still very young and can't always process the pressure she feels to get good grades,  keep her temper in check, be obedient and a good friend.  She still needs to be held and hugged and told it's okay if you don't get it on the first try.  Emma helped me tonight as much as I think I helped her.

Growing Out Bangs

I have to say that both of my daughters have been blessed with some beautiful hair...I know I may be partial here, but you can't help it sometimes!  Emma has had  a few different hair styles and cuts...some of her own doing!  We tried to grow out her bangs when she was 4 and she got tired of them being in her face, so she just decided to cut them right off!  I found little piles of hair around the house for a few days.

She wanted her hair cut short a while ago, but now wants it long.  So here we go again with growing out hair!  I have tried to come up with some cute ways to keep her bangs back so she isn't always wearing a headband.  This braided style seems to be pretty popular as seen in Hollywood lately, and it's very easy to do, which makes mornings easier. 

It is basically a "french braid" braided just to the front of the hair.  Start at the part and begin your french braid.  I secured the braid with a small clear elastic since my daughter is a very active child! 

Cutie Pie!

Such a ham!

Tragedy in Japan

It pains me every time some disaster hits...so many people hurting and in need.  One of my good friends from high school lives in Japan.  Thankfully, she wasn't affected by the awful earthquakes and tsunamis that have hit her country.  I have been watching the footage all day and it is just so sad.  My heart goes out to them.  I hope that if I were ever to face such a disaster, I would continue to thank God for His goodness and love, despite my loss.  I feel blessed beyond what I deserve today.

Let's use today to show kindness to someone else....maybe a random stranger that just needs a smile.  I smile and greet most people I pass by...it's funny because most people are surprised!  It makes me a happier person and not so self-absorbed.  Kindness....just general human kindness....it's a rare thing until something tragic happens.  Don't wait until tragedy strikes to be a kind person...that is what I am striving for and what I am trying to teach my girls.

Just a thought for the day!  Now I would like to share some pictures of my 2 little treasures!

Emma riding a horse for the first time!

Dayna waiting her turn

Dayna riding a horse for the first time!

Bow Making Series--Part Two--Hardware, Ribbons, and Embellishments

Definitely the most fun part of making hair accessories are all the wonderful ribbons and goodies to put together!!

Again, I had NO CLUE when I started making bows what to start with...these are just my thoughts from a few years experience behind me :o)

Hair Hardware--I buy my hair hardware online.  I can find what I am looking for more easily and the quality/price can't be beat.  I used to go to Sally's all the time getting single prong alligator clips, but they were always out of stock!!  Here are some of my favorite sellers:

• Single and double prong alligator clips--I buy a lot of supplies from Etsy...these are mostly women like me trying to make a few extra dollars for their families and I am all about supporting that!  For my alligator clips, I buy from Accessory Junction on Etsy.  The owner is FAST and has quality clips.  I buy 400 at a time since the price is better as you purchase more.
• French clips and headband forms--Hip Girl Boutique, LLC  

Ribbon--Yet another thing I have a HUGE preference for!!  I have tried them all and let me tell you, they are not created equal!!  The very best ribbon brand for making hairbows, in my opinion, is Offray, without a doubt.  They don't have a huge selection of printed ribbon, so that is something I go outside the brand for, but they have an enormous selection of plain colors and polka dots!  The Offray ribbon is sturdier and stiffer, so it keeps its shape much longer without a stiffener.  I buy my Offray ribbon from Tea Party Ribbons...they have the best prices and decent shipping time.  If you don't want to buy online, JoAnn's carried a full stock of Offray ribbon.

Printed Ribbon--There are TONS of printed ribbon places on eBay and Etsy, but I usually go to Oh*My*Gosh*Goodies.  She has fast shipping and a huge selection!

Embellishments--Swarovski crystals, buttons, etc can be found at crafts stores like Michaels and AC Moore. I have even found vintage clip-on earrings that are super cute for hairbow centers!

Now...want to know what to do with all this stuff?? Tune in Monday for my first tutorial on how to make a loopy flower bow...just in time for Spring!

Junie B. Jones Birthday Planning

Birthdays are a huge deal in our family!  I am fortunate that my girls' birthdays are about 6 months apart, so just when one is over, it's time to start planning the next girl's party!  Emma's birthday is in 2 months and she wants a Junie B. Jones birthday party...oh dear.  Emma is a bookworm, just like I was as a kid, so of course, she wants to have a party with her favorite characer!!  I haven't been planning and there is virtually nothing available to purchase for said party theme!  Time to read one of her books and get some ideas...I already have a CUTE idea for the invites...can't wait!!  Also, cannot believe my girl will be 8 years old.  I have no idea where the time goes!

Burial of a Legend

So, I think it is terribly ironic that I blogged last week about how much I LOVE my glue gun......and Saturday it died!!  Now, honestly, I use my glue gun DAILY and for hours at a time, so I have put it through a lot.  It still worked, but somehow it started oozing glue out of the trigger, which is not a good thing.  In the trash it went, and I bought another one with my 40% off coupon for Jo-Ann's!  So nice to NOT scorch my finger when pulling the trigger.  If I were to try to estimate hours of operation, I would say I used that baby for over 1000 hours.  Wow!

This week is going to be exciting!  Mardi Gras, Lent, Daylight Savings Time, and March Madness all this week! I am giving up sweets and soda for Lent...probably gonna kill me, but it has to be done.  I must break my bad habit and this is the perfect time to do it!  So tonight, I will be making these Beignets with my daughters.  Oh. My. Goodness.  They look amazing!! Wednesday is gonna be rough!

March Madness is the best! It all starts on Sunday with Selection Sunday...64 teams will be selected and the games begin.  Need a college hairbow?  Here are just a few from my shop:

Duke University Hairbow

Kansas University Bow

Tennessee Bow

Order now before March Madness is over!!

Getting Started as a Bow Maker--Part One--Equipment

I had no idea the kind of investment I would be making when I decided I wanted to learn to make hairbows for my girls!!  I don't even think Etsy was around when I had my older daughter, Emma...so I had to do with what I could find in the stores, which wasn't much.  I got the brainy idea, when I had my second daughter in 2005, to make them myself!

Once you buy all the initial supplies, it really isn't too expensive.  And trust me, I tried to cut corners to save money, but some things you just have to have to save your sanity!

Here are some of my absolute necessities as a bow maker:

1.  Glue gun--this is a MUST for most crafters anyway, but the kind of gun I love for bows is this model here:
    It is a detail glue gun that has a fine tip.  The glue gets super hot but doesn't glob up and thread all over the     place.  I have tried many other brands but the Surebonder is just the way to go!

2.  Woodburner--I know it sounds nuts, but you must have a woodburner for sealing off those ribbon ends!!  I tried to get away with a lighter to start with, but after rubbing my thumbs raw, decided to just go ahead and get the burner.  Now, a couple of thoughts about the woodburner:

• It gets hotter than Hades, so BE CAREFUL about where you set this baby!!  It WILL slide (even with the stand) off the table and BURN your carpet, floor, lap, etc in no time!!  I have mine set up with the metal stand's "feet" under a book an the burner sitting on the book...so it doesn't slide anymore.  
• I have 2 woodburners, one for dark ribbon and one for light ribbon.  Why?  When you do a lot of ribbon sealing, you can transfer colors to the lighter ribbon and NOTHING is worse than a white bow with brown, dirty-looking ends!!  So I have 2.  It also helps when you're sealing korker bows...that's a whole lot of ribbon sealing and the burners get dirty.  It helps to have an alternate.

3.  Thread and Needle--I have definite opinions about this because it is how ALL of my bows go together, boutique, korker, layered, stacked, etc!  I have tried to buy cheap thread and needles and only get frustrated when the thread breaks and the needles bend.  Trust me, there is nothing more frustrating than being almost done sewing together a korker bow and the ribbon breaks and korkers go flying!!

• Needle--I only use a "darning" needle.  It is thick as can be and very sturdy!  I use it for all my bows and have only had to replace it a few times when the end gets dull.  It literally does not bend and can get the job done!
• Thread--I only use "hand quilting" thread.  Thread tends to gather, break, twist and that is super frustrating!!  Hand quilting thread is designed to be used repetitively in and out of fabric, so it withstands the breaking and gathering that "all purpose" thread does.  It is more expensive, but worth your sanity!
• Pins--just a few long sharp pins and pincushion

4.  Scissors--I know this is obvious, but get a good pair!  Cutting ribbon with dull, cheap scissors is awful!  I have a pair of large, grey-handled Fiskar scissors I bought at the craft store.  They were $15 and worth every penny!  I also have a pair of small embroidery snips for cutting thread.  They are Ginghers...super sharp, and ready for action.

5.  Ruler--I have an 18 inch clear acrylic ruler mounted on the edge of my work station.  It's so easy to measure when it's sitting right there.

So, I know this is a long post....but wanted to get my thoughts out there!  I like real-life, practical information and didn't have it when I got started!!  I did everything wrong at least once.  My next post will address the fun stuff about bows--ribbon, embellishments, and hardware!!

Last Friday Giveaway and the Tooth Fairy!

I want to start hosting a giveaway every Last Friday of the month....and going to start today!  I am hosting a giveaway on Sweet and Sassy Boutique's Facebook page for a pair of flower shoe clips....I know I say this all the time, but I so wish I had thought of these when my girls were smaller!!  I hope you stop by, like my page, and leave a comment to win.  The winner will be announced tonight at 9 EST.

I'm not sure how people feel about reading and commenting on blogs...I am going to use mine as a diary of my life as a wife, mother, business owner, and everything else in between.  I have met so many great people from commenting on their blogs, so please don't hesitate to comment if you'd like :o)  

My "baby" (who turned 5 in September, lol!) lost her first tooth this week.  She swallowed it with her lunch at school and was so excited for her first Tooth Fairy experience!  I know some people don't do Santa or the Tooth Fairy, but we do and my kids LOVE it.  

Dayna's letter to the Tooth Fairy!

I don't think they will be scarred for life when they find out it's make believe.  Anyway, she put her tooth in the her Tooth Fairy pillow and I painted up some dollar bills with glitter paint to leave her.  I have to admit, I was a little sad that my baby has passed into this next stage of her life.  I want to push the pause button as hard as I can and just enjoy these times for a little longer!!  I have enjoyed each stage, but so far the age my girls are now has been my favorite (I think I say that for each stage!).  I hope we always stay a close-knit family....I love them so much!!

Emma (7 yrs) and me...hate pics of myself!!

This is Dayna (in the headband) with one of my best friend's little girl!!  They are such good friends and I love how they get to grow up together!!

Awesome Valentine's Day MOM Giveaway!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

If you haven't already heard, there is a HUGE giveaway going on!!  Head on over to Jessica Feely's blog to find out the details and get in on this wonderful giveaway.  There are 14 great prizes, so 14 winners will be chosen.  So many wonderful vendors, too!  What a way to start your Monday!

Boutique Silk Flowers and Shoe Clips

When I started back to blogging, I had planned to post about 2 times a week...until my whole family got sick!  It has been one health issue after another, but I finally got caught up on orders and have some extra time to create again. 

My newest love is made from a pattern of rose I created myself that makes these amazingly full roses for hair accessories or whatever else you'd like to attach them to.  My pattern is really very easy, but makes something pretty dramatic.  I have been wearing these roses in my hair a LOT lately. 

One of the newest additions to my own Etsy shop is pairs of shoe clips...they are so stinkin' cute!!  I sized down the flower above and attached them to these fabulous clips.  I wish my girls were tiny again!

I am ready for Spring...how about you!