Hurry up already

We don't really have seasons where I live, the temperature pretty much stays between 60 and 80 degrees year round. But I think I'm totally ready for winter to be over and spring to arrive. I notice I'm gravitating more toward colorful, springy fabrics lately and am already starting to list some great summer hand bags. Did I really just spend an entire paragraph talking about the weather? Ok, I'll stop. I'm boring myself.

Much more exciting...I got a new Canon Rebel XT!!! I couldn't be more child-like giddy about it. And let the record reflect, we ordered this bad boy the night before the tree fell through the roof-never would have purchased had we known we'd be needing a new roof, etc. but in the end, I'm glad we bought it. Anyhow, it is FANTABULOUS! We already had a nice camera, a Canon Pro1 but this is in an entirely different league. I can't stop taking pictures, even taking random pics of myself throughout the day, mostly because I love the sound the camera makes:) I would really love to take a photography class and think Steve and I would have fun doing that together but these freakin kids can't stay home alone yet...maybe next year when Bella's five.

I'm off to work on a little prize for a birdie lover I know. I might post sort of a mystery pic later tonight to peak her curiosity.

Another little cutie

Whipped up this mini twirl set this morning and couldn't be happier with it. A little bit funky and a little bit sweet. And it totally got the stamp of approval from Matea. She came and snatched the skirt away from my sewing table while I was working on the onesie and sat down to put it on. I took a few pics of her in it, you know, to add to the cuteness factor in my listing. I really do think it looks damn cute on her and is totally comfortable...at least that's what she told me. I have enough fabric to do this in a smaller size if you love it but need it smaller.

And yes, that's a big bruise on her face. As though I'm not already bummed out enough, this morning I was wearing Steve's ginormous size 11 slippers that I love, she tripped over one, and face planted into a bar stool leg. Crap.

Suprisingly productive

I've realized the more time I spend in my craft room, the less time I have to spend looking at the freakin tree in my house and having a pity party. So, I present today's creations. I know, the floral might be a little too springy for January, but I just got the fabric and really love it. I think it works so well with the twisted bamboo handles and is a big enough size to be functional.

Sale :)

Be sure to check out my sale items. I've dropped prices even further on some items and added a few new ones as well.

And no, this has nothing to do with having a tree in my house. Ok, that's a lie. Picture me right now holding a sign that says, "Will sell bags for a new roof".

Naughty and Nice

First, the nice. Here's the adorable little twirl set I plugged yesterday. Really, could that skirt be any tinier? I just think it's so sweet and playful. And it almost (ALMOST) makes we want to have a tiny little baby in my arms again.

Now, the naughty. A tree fell through our house last night. Not on our house. Through our house in three different places. Why am I telling you this? 1. Because reality has sunk in this morning and I'm totally freaking out and really sad so I could use some well wishes. You all know I'm a stay at home mom, so we're on one income (besides my little Etsy money) and really have no wiggle room for an event like this. Sure, insurance will pay for it but we have a deductible just like everyone else and it's looking like we'll have to pay out of pocket for a lot of expenses and then try to be reimbursed. And 2. The damage is fairly extensive (you can see pics on my family blog... www.bellamatea.blogspot.com) and I'm thinking we may have to stay in a hotel for a bit during reconstruction. That means I'll be away from my sewing stuff and will have to take a break from listing.

Oh, and I almost forgot to share that Kristi is definitely the winner of the "best birdie feedback" post. I don't think anyone could even make up that many birdie connections. Haven't decided yet what to send you...is your house decorated in a rustic style? I could make a lovely tree trunk cozy for the branch in my hallway...or the one in my bedroom...or the one in my bathroom...and send that your way. Actually, don't laugh, but we're going to try to preserve a slice of the tree or something and display it in our house somewhere. Every time I look at it I'll either be thankful for our safety or really sad about all of the damage and money.

Question of the day

You have a friend who got a Wii for Christmas. She's gone on and on about how great it is, how much fun the family is having with it, blah, blah, blah. You very casually ask "When are you going to invite us over?" several times yet she still has not invited you. She let you play with the Wii on Thursday, asked again and again if you were totally having fun (you definitely were) but still didn't invite you over. She appears to like your children and is vocal about her positive feelings toward your husband. She claims to hate you but you know deep down inside, she realizes you light up her life. Do you just show up on Saturday night with pizza and beer and pretend like you were invited? Contact her totally nice (and as an added bonus, hot-but not hotter than yours) husband and get the invite from him?

Why bother?

We have a huge storm blowing through town right now so I was forced to take pictures inside. I wasn't even going to bother listing the bag today because the pictures really don't do it justice, but the wind and rain are supposed to be here through the weekend so it's now or never...or now or Monday, I guess, but you get what I mean.

This one is generously sized, a little bigger than my usual listings, and perfect for a mom of two or more or a mom of a newborn.

And Matea can't handle having the camera around and not having her picture taken so she hopped up on the bench as soon as I stopped holding her back with my foot. Someone should find out why she's still in her pj's even though it's 5:00 pm.

And check back later tonight for the sweetest and smallest little twirl set ever. Remember that cute pink bear fabric I bought last month and didn't know how I would use it? Well, on a whim I decided to make the tiniest skirt ever, complete with pink tulle trim and a matching onesie with an adorable bear applique.