a place to get my craft on

My fantastic husband is getting me the best birthday present this year.
He is building me a craft room.

You'd think for someone who loves to craft and sew that I'd have a huge, dreamy space.
but the reality is I don't.

As a matter of fact, anytime I want to sew, I lug my sewing machine and serger downstairs,
and set up shop in our formal dining room.
and by the end of my sewing session, the room resembles that of a tornado.

As I plan and dream and try and figure out to use my space best, I am excited but also a little overwhelmed by it all.  {I don't like to make anything easy}
So if you are from HGTV and reading this, sure go ahead and come gift me my dream craft room.
My husband wouldn't mind a bit!

The most important part to planning my craft space is
O.R.G.A.N.I.Z.A.T.I.O.N {wow that took some thinking, shift + letter, then period, repeat}
right now, nothing is organized, and often when I do try and tidy up,
it takes me even longer to find what I am looking for.
I want every single thing to have a special place.

A cutting table is also necessary for this space, as well as, plenty of fabric storage.
and of course a desk, big enough for both my sewing machine and serger.
and an office section, where I can keep my computer and have a designated space to blog.

Another important touch, I want to have an area of Presley's craft supplies.  A shelf that is all hers.
Sometimes blogging and sewing and having a handmade shop can take away from time with her.
As much as I try not to, it happens.  But, if she can be alongside me, then it makes it better. 
Not to mention, she is getting to express herself creatively, and that's important to me.

So ya, the hubbs has his work cut out for him.  I am beyond lucky that he is a good DIYer and can make pretty much everything I want for this space.

Between planning and discussing and pinning, I am starting to get a vision and ready to get this project underway.

my craft room inspiration board

1.    2.   3.   4.   5.   6.   7.   8.   9.   10.

I am really excited about this project, and even more excited to have a place of my own.  One more step closer to my goals and dreams of this little hobby becoming a business.

Any advice or organization tips for a craft room are welcome.

Have a creative day lovelies!

inspired + influenced

If I have said it once, I have said it a million times...
Not only is this blog a creative outlet for me to write what's on my mind, to share photo's of my family with my loved ones, to document my daughter as she grows up way too fast
but it is also given me a community,
an influence,
a want to be better.

And that is just what I have decided to do.
Thanks to influence by Raechel and Rebecca and Erin and Danielle I want to be a better version of me.
Use my blog and my shop to give back
Help those who need it and use my voice and talents to inspire others the way these ladies have inspired me.



Pocket Full of Lovelies has partnered with a local charity here in Kansas City in which 15% of all shop proceeds will directly go to. 

happy bottoms is an amazing cause and I get goosebumps thinking about how excited I am to be involved. 

Want to know more?  click on the happy bottoms logo over yonder ---------->>
and check out their site...
or just give me a minute and I will tell you everything you want to know.

tomorrow!
for now sleep tight friends!

just an ordinary day...

I work part-time by night, and full-time mommy, wife, friend, blogger and sewer by day {or around the clock, rather}.. with that being said, my days are usually jam packed with ordinary, repeated activities, that really nobody would find interesting...  recently, a friend, wrote a post that I thought sounded fun, so I decided to do something similar.. and then the lovely gussy, sent her weekly inspiration workshop email and the prompt... your everyday life! 

for the entire day, I wrote down everything we did!
here goes...

8:45 squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak.. presley wakes up.. she loves to jump in her crib, and that is usually my alarm clock through the baby monitor...  we decide to crawl back in bed and watch an episode of Dora... {what I was tired?}

9:05 presley, bored with dora, wants some milk, head to the kitchen for breakfast

9:08 as I am pouring the princess her organic, whole milk, the phone rings!  it's the mister... "good morning, what's up, you what?"  forgot to pay the water bill.. stink!

9:10 throwing on some suitable for public clothes for myself and deciding miss can stay in jammies as we head into town to pay the water bill {on a side note, my very teeny town of 400, yea they don't allow online bill pay for the water, which is how we pay every other bill.. needless to say it tends to be forgotten, oopsie, and they will turn it off at 10 AM and charge you a reconnect fee and litterally turn it back on about 2 minutes after you pay, not that it has ever happened to me, insert sarcasm}

9:12 presley screaming at me, "brush teets, brush teets."  I wish I could take credit for her obsession with brushing her teeth but I can't.  she loves the way the fake flouride free toothpaste tastes, and well, it's a dora toothbrush.  whatever it is, the girl loves brushing her teeth.

9:20 construction at the front of city hall, sign says "use back door."  back door?  I never even knew, now how to find the back door!  great!

9:25 find the make shift entrance, get pj out of the car and head on in to pay the bill.  dang, presley is in christmas jammies and it's all ready 97 degrees out and what month is this, august now.. oh well!  I probably shoud have brushed her hair, it' standing up.  mom of the year here! 

9:43 back home to resume breakfast. 

9:48  texts exchanged with the mister... did you get it paid? yes, dear!   talked with the mortgage broker today.... and what did she say... which reminds me, my house is a mess and yes, folks there is a for sale sign in the yard.. time to tidy up

10:00 pick up toys, do the dishes, clean toilets, sinks, showers, vaccuum, windex, dust, and mop the entire first floor with the assistance of my little helper.. what is today? monday... I have to work tonight, better wash my uniform. 

11:00 and I'm spent, flip on the TV {young and the restless time}, only presley is telling me "no, no mommy"  "need, mote" apparently she is not into the young and the restless, so we turn it to nick jr.  {fresh beat band}  hey, I like this song. don't judge me  so we decide to have a dance party... what can I say, the girl's got moves!

11:09 she hears an airplane I didn't even know she knew what an airplane was!  we run to the window to watch the airplane...

11:15 all that dancing made us hungry.. lunch time! presley picks out her Dora spaghettio's for lunch.. and is requesting a bitamen!  here have a vitamin...

12:00 with the house being on the market, I had to transform the, toys 'r us bomb that went off in my house, meaning all of the big toys are put up in the closet.  Presley picks to play with her kitchen.. we baked cookies, did some dishes, and some laundry.. I was forced to try a bite of a wooden cookie {like literally shoved in my mouth} and had some fake air coffee, yummy baby...

12:30 presley now playing with her dolls, I decide to package up a few pink jellybean orders ready to ship.

1:00 miss is sleepy, says mommy, night night? she loves naptime {and so do I.}  depending on the day {meaning if I work that night or not} depends on my naptime activities.  yep, it's still monday. I put miss down and decide to hop in bed and try to take a nap as well.

1:15 presley's out, me-no luck, thinking about my fall line, decorating the house I haven't bought yet, go to sleep!

1:30 tossing and turning,

2:00 forget it, I can't sleep!  pull out my laptop and catch up on my fave blogs, emails, etsy, and watch the y and r episode I missed earlier today... I am going to regret this at 4 am...

3:00 baby is still sleeping, I decide to catch a quick shower alone before she wakes up...

3:04 never fails! she wakes up, squeak, squeak, through the baby monitor.. a quick shower and I'm out. shoot, scrubs are still wet. into the dryer!

3:30 a quick trip to the post office to mail some orders... the temp in my car says 110 degrees... is summer over yet?

4:00 getting ready for work with help from my little stylist... she too is getting ready for what I am not sure?

4:20 daddy's home..  cleam jammies in the basket upstairs, there is dinner in the fridge, my mom will be here at 8 am, see you tomorrow night... kiss, hug for the mister, kiss, hug for the baby...

4:35 what's that smell.. ohh pj has a surprise in her diaper for you daddy.. this mommy is off duty!

4:40 out the door.. every 6th week of my work schedule I meet my purple peeps for dinner before work. {purple peeps are my nurse friends, dubbed because we are required to wear purple scrubs}

5:00 dinner at the ole' shoppe {that's our usual meet up, pizza shoppe}

6:00 head to the hospital

6:45 put on my nurse hat and take care of a few new momies and babies tonight... need to make some coffee...

9:00 call to check on my baby did you give her her lovee? yes dear! did you read her bible? yes, dear! did she eat dinner, yes dear! and tell my hubby good night!

pretty ordinary... and I wouldn't have it any other way..

what'a an ordinary day for you like?

linking up with gussy's inspiration workshop..

lesson 7: shooting outdoors. featuring Forty Toes Photography

sorry this is late friends...  let's just call it a "series of events" that delayed this post.

shooting outdoors. such a broad topic and a vast background, and probably my favorite place to take pictures.  check out the content here. 

within my little biz, I have been so lucky to meet and work with some AMAZING photographers.. I am beyond excited to have Jenn with Forty Toes Photography here today to give us some helpful hints on shooting outdoors...

meet.Jenn.

tell us a little about yourself and how you came to love photography?

The GREATEST gift from my husband was on my 38th birthday! I didn't even know it at the time but he bought me a Nikon D40 which was a big deal because until then we only had the basic point and shoot camera. I was due with our fourth and last baby in April and he was hoping we would put it to good use. Little did I know that it would become a passion and a little side business for this SAHM!

I was already an ETSY addict at the time for my third child Stella Marie! After having 2 boys I LOVED finding the cutest handmade clothes on ETSY for her. I would post photos of her in her newest outfit on fan pages and my little business was born.

I kept getting emails from ETSY designers asking if I could shoot their up and coming designs and I was hooked.

I have spent the last year trying very hard to educated myself on the whole photography thing.
 what keeps you inspired  or drives you to get those amazing shots?

My main model is my baby girl Stella Marie. I can't get enough of her. Every time I shoot a new design on her I just can't help but smile. She CRACKS me up with her little poses and most of the time she is singing as we shoot. I am always just so excited to get home and see just what we were able to catch for the day!

any advice to us rookie's who are just using a dslr camera for the first time?

I would say learn your camera settings. Oh my goodness,I have been so blessed with an AWMAZING mentor Willow from Willow's Photography. I can't tell you how many shoots I messed up this past year from lack of just knowing my camera settings. So take the time if you don't have a mentor or a class try and watch the DVD that comes with your camera or just google. I am always finding info just by googling it. 

any tips for shooting outdoors??

Since I am new to this whole photography thing I do not have a studio at this time and for me outdoors shooting just works for me. Most of the time I have the other three kids in tow while I am shooting Stella Marie in a commercial shoot. But I have learned to slow down and take the time to make sure I am not getting too much light or the shadows on the face. There is nothing worse than getting home and having the best picture ever but there is a shadow that you are unable to photoshop out. 

I am loving learning so much about my camera.  I hope you are too! 

thanks Jenn for stopping by... I would love to hear how you all are doing!  I know for sure I am feeling more comfortable with M and am getting faster at it. 

only a few more weeks left in our photography tutorials!  and then I have something extra special planned. I am so excited. Mum's the word for now!  let's keep practicing!

oh and if you haven't all ready.. enter this sweet giveaway. ends tonight!  good luck!!

thrifty...

last week, I shared my love for hitting up an antique store or 2.. I have always loved finding treasures and even more, the price tag that comes with.. It just makes you feel like you did a good deed when you find something you love for a few dollas$$ right?

when it comes to clothes.. I NEVER have luck when it comes to finding great stuff.. until now!  thanks to Ashley and her inspiration today to "thrift" and outfit.. I did some research.. and you know what I found.. my little town has some hole in the wall, amazing little consignment and thrift stores as well as vintage clothing stores.. so, I made a list and hit up a few of them... {keep in mind, I had a little with me} but was able to score this cute blouse... for only $6.. I have no idea what brand it is {no tag} but thought for $6.. yep, it's coming home with me...

hope to share more posts like this in the future, because I still have a TON of new little shops to check out!

happy Friday friends.. I am beyond excited for the plans I have tonight!  shh.. tell you later!!!

OH. don't forget to enter the giveaway featuring ashley...

you could win one of her shine necklaces!!!

I wanna soak up the SUN...

at the LAKE... 

 a little relaxing...

with  good company....

having a lot of fun...

{ photo credit 1,  2,  3,  4  }

and enjoying the view!

have you entered my giveaway???   

SHINE giveaway.. and a little what.I.wore

remember the other day... where I showed by cutsie little "change jars" ??  and talked about my awesome bloggie bff ashley ??

I am so excited because she is here today..   and we are having a giveaway... for YOU!

6 SECRETS about Miss Ashley

fave ice cream flavor | Okay, you've tickled my fancy. Ice cream happens to be my most favorite delicious treat EVER! I love it all... especially gelato and frozen yogurt. Give me some fruit on top some something tart with little white chocolate chips, and I am a HAPPY woman.

never leave home without | My camera and pink lip gloss. I've been addicted to lip gloss since middle school. I need luscious lips so that hubby will always be enticed to kiss me :) You know how it works ladies.

I wish I were better at | Piano, I used to play all the time when I was little. In fact, I was stinkin good. But I HATED practicing. My mom told me I'd regret it if I quit. Turns out she was right, as usual.

last person I called  | Mike (my husband)| We're in love. And I miss him while he's at work all day!

TV guilty pleasure | Pawn Stars. I don't watch much TV, but I love me some Pawn Stars! :)

recently obsessed with | Thrifting. I've learned that I have a keen eye for all things vintage and lovely. You can see my latest $1.98 find HERE. I'm over paying full price for clothes!

 tell us about the shine project and what it stands for

 I have decided, that now is the time to excel in life.

Now is the time to be better than I have ever been,
and to accomplish things that I never thought I'd be able to do.
As I reach my goals,
I want my 'light' and happiness to rub off on others.
This is what The Shine Project is all about:
Going out of your comfort zone
to bring light to those who need hope.
The Shine Project emulates love, sacrifice, and
CHANGE.

I am so excited to be joining Ashley in her latest project, {Change for Change}... tell us, what's this concept all about?

 I have set a hefty goal of raising $20,000 by October for inner city students at a Phoenix highschool. (Can read all about it HERE) I'm getting 100 people to pledge to raise $100 by October. This gives us $10,000 in change! If you want to pledge, email me at ashley.theshineproject@gmail.com. Now, to get the next $10,000, I'm throwing a big party/silent auction in Phoenix in October. If you have items you would like to donate, and want to get involved to make a change, please email me. I know I can't do this alone! 

Go ahead, let the world see you SHINE!

 isn't she just adorbsey?? and for a great cause... I enjoy reading her blog and love what she stands for!  If you have ever stopped by her blog, then you would know not only is she totally inspirational and making a difference, but she makes and sells the cutest necklaces...

I just received mine in the mail last week... and I LOVE IT!

fave black tee-gap | shades-buckle | necklace the shine project | sash headband-target

want to win your own SHINE necklace?? 

mandatory:  must be a follower of this blog

leave a comment telling me how much you just love these sweet little necklaces

additional entries: {leave a separate comment for each thing you do}

follow ashley's blog here

take the $100 pledge  here 

facebook about this giveaway

tweet this giveaway...

good luck friends!  this giveaway will close tuesday, July 19

go on and SHINE!

CHANGE for CHANGE!

sometimes...

you just feel a need to do something...

anything

to make the world a better place!

no matter how small...

a change,

is a change!

and every little bit helps!

Miss Ashley, over at The Shine Project

is all about making a change!

and I decided to join her...

in her Change for Change campagn

to raise $10,000 for scholarship money...

that's right, I am 1 of 100 people

taking a $100 pledge!

want to help?

there is a donation tab in the right side bar...

10% of all sales from the pink jellybean will go into this pledge

as well as change jars locally!

or stop by Ashley's blog

and take your own pledge!

{my change jars ~ spray painted* white | fabric covered lids | change 4 change tag }

*learn from my mistake and be sure to compensate for over-spray.. neither my garage floor nor my hubby is pleased with the white "artwork" oopsie!  all for a good cause right!

 and guess what... Ashley will be stopping by next week to tell us more about her inspiring blog...

and a GIVEAWAY...

so excited!

pampering ourselves...

with our anniversary only a few months away... I know exactly what we both need...

a little Pampering

a few months ago, we stayed at the argosy casino and hotel for a wedding.. and boy, was it beautiful... by far the most luxurious hotel I had ever visited... I said to the hubbs, "bring me back for our anniversary, mm'kay?"  I believe he replied with "deal!" 

a perfect anniversary weekend would go a little something like this

drop baby off at mimi's, after lot's of kisses

head to the "boat" as we call them here in KC

check in and check out the room, it's FAB!

hit up one of the 3 restaurants and enjoy a romantic dinner for two

play a little black jack

appointment at the spa

"time for two" package please

visit the roasterie for a little cup of joe

maybe head back to the black jack table if I'm feeling lucky

a little time sans kiddo, just me and the mister

yes, that would make a lovely anniversary weekend...

{via }

{ via }

 { via }

{hint, hint}


linking up with gussy's inspiration workshop

very soon...

our bathroom may have a new addition...

and it involves

potty training!

the time is nearing...

any tips appreciated!

{source 1,  2,  3,  4  }

linking up with gussy for week 5: inspiration workshop

Showing some LOVE

Happy Saturday Friends...

Can I just say

Thank You!!

I started blogging because I wanted a place to share about my little family, the biggest accomplishment of my life.  Which turned into blogging about my little biz, to inspiring me to learn photography, to building and "meeting" some amazing people in this "blogging club," to actually {and this may sound totally off the wall} changing me as a person. 

...sometimes...

I have a lot on my mind and

...sometimes...

it just sits there and I never, ever say it

...until now...

now, I can say whatever I want, a little place to not only talk about my family and my biz, but to just be

ME!

and you know what keeps me going

all of YOU!

I LOVE getting comments and seeing followers, and I LOVE what all of you have to say.  It's so nice to know that someone is listening, and that someone cares, and that other's are right there with me.  But I will say, that each time I read a comment

 I feel loved!

As crazy as this sounds, sharing about myself, and reading about all of you, and being inspired by some of the most amazing women on the planet, has made me into a more positive and optimistic person! 

and that's...

a great feeling!

so today, I just want to say...

{source 1,  2,  3,  4,  5 }

I really, really do!!

Oh, and because I LOVE you all so much...

I am having a GIVEAWAY very, very soon!

Believe me!  You are going to want to win!!

bbq

linking up with gussy and her I.W.  this week is all about a day of fun!

for us country folk, a day of fun, well...nothing like a good old fashioned bbq competition.  my husband has a team "the pitt grillaz" and a few times a year they participate in these competetions.  so of course presley jane and I had to go root on daddy and his team...we had some good company, great food and lots of FUN...  it was 90 degrees that day, so fun was not without some pool time and a slip 'n' slide...

if only you could taste the amazing food, delish!