Hairbow Day!

Last night I finally got around to using my hairbow making supplies from GirlyBowtique. I wanted to make some to match Tressa's Easter Dress as well as another spring dress that she is going to be wearing to church. I thing they are cute, not bad for a first attempt. My husband John went away last night to watch basketball so I had time on my hands since the kids went to be before 8:00.

Here are the supplies from Girly Bowtique. The non slip things you put on the clips work amazing!

I also made a hairbow holder. I seen a picture on another site and thought that it would be easy enought. I found the butterfly and flower already prepainted and just hotglued them to a nice piece of ribbon.

New Baby!

Welcom Jace C. another new baby at Grandville PRC. Like I usually do, I made a hooded towel and a couple of burp clothes. I had these done a while ago but couldn't post them until I gave them to Liz or it wouldn't be a suprise! Don't want anyone seeing them on Faceboook and spilling the beans. I got to hold him on Sunday for a few minutes, he is so tiny it hardly feels like you are holding anything. Congrats to Ben and Liz, I hope everything is going well with the baby.

Chocolate Chip Cookies!

This is my favorite cookie recipe! The "Chocolate Chip Cookies" Recipe is found in the Heritage Christian School "Favorite Family Recipes" Cookbook and was submitted by Beth DeBoer. I attended HCS and Sarah (my maid of honor) is Beth's daughter, but don't let that deter you from trying these, I would love them no matter where they came from. The page that they are listed on is really dirty from using it over and over!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

4 eggs

2 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

2 c. Crisco

2 tsp. vanilla

4 c. Flour

2 tsp. soda

2 tsp. salt

1 (12 oz) pkg chocolate chips

1 c. oatmeal

Beat the eggs and add the sugars, crisco and vanilla. Then add dry ingredients. chips and oatmeal. Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

This makes quite a large batch and I usually cook them for the whole 12 minutes becuase my husband likes them a little crispy.

Don't mind me, just trying to figure our how to make a widget for my blog!

Beach Towel For Tressa

So I absolutely could not wait to use the new fabric I got yesterday. I threw it into my tote of sewing supplies and it landed right next to this purple towel and an idea sprung to life. The embroidery took forever! I don't think I will be doing this font for a while, quite complex and time consuming. I made and baked a whole batch of cookies while this was going. This is one of my favorite things I have ever made, making it extra special becuase it is for my extra special baby girl! Visit my blog tomorrow and get the BEST chocolate chip cookies recipe ever!

Beach Day!

I received a custom request for a personalized beach towel from a grandma at church. Her only granddaughter is in California and I bet she misses her a lot! She probably gets to use the beach towel much more over there than we do here in Michigan. This is the second personalized beach towel I have done and I will probably add names to my kids' beach towels that they already have. The neighbor also wants her kids' towels personalized after she finds ones that match their suits! It is a pretty nice day today and it makes me long for spring and warm weather and camping. Oh, and garage sales! I hit my very first one of the year this morning and found new fabric yardage and remnants which will go into my stash and wait for just the right use. There is some flowered fabric that I am very tempted to sew onto some burpclothes I have. I know they would be cute!

P.S. Don't forget to register for mytwobabes giveaway, ends friday!

Quite a while ago, I seen these towels at the store while I was browsing around the towel section looking for new colors for my hooded towels. I instantly was drawn to the bright, springtime color. I can't remember if it was before or after I bought the towels, that I was looking in the remnant bin at Field's Fabrics (like I compulsively do) and came across these flowered fabrics. About a week ago I all of a sudden realized that these go together perfectly. Well, yesterday I had a slower day and finally got around to sewing them up. They turned out beautifully and I just listed them in my etsy shop. If they don't sell, I would definitly find something to do with them, I never have a problem with that!

mytwobabes Giveaway!

Mytwobabes is once again featuring an etsy shop and a free giveaway. Giveaway this week is from Whimsey & co and is an embellished towel for your kitchen. These towels are so cute and her handiwork is amazing. Amber also makes very cute personalized diaper bags for your little one. Visit mytwobabesdesigns blog for more information on Whimsey & co as well as how to register for the giveaway.

DID YOU KNOW?? Kristin (mytwobabes), Amber (whimsey & co) and I (spiritofgiving) all used to go to the same church growing up! Now we are "etsy moms"! (not to mention all the others we know).

I just got my fabric labels from Jennifer's Jewels ! I plan to sew them onto the items that I make and sell at my etsy shop. These labels were designed by Kristin to match my banner and logo and business cards. Hopefully these labels will be a reminder of where they recieved the items and will promote repeat and referral business. Already I have had neighbors, friends, fellow church members ask for custom items after seeing my photos on Facebook and Flickr. I love the make things for others, so don't be afraid to ask.

P.S. Stayed tuned this week, a little birdie told me mytwobabes is having another giveaway!

Dedicated Worker : Life Lessons

Here is my neighbor who lives behind our house. Everyday he goes outside and rakes a part of his lawn. He is so inspiring to me. When I think that something is just too much work, or not worth the effort, I remember "Grandpa Hank". Sometimes the boys go out and help him pick up little sticks, he loves the company (at least for a little while!). Hopefully spring in truly on its way.

Grab 'N Stuff Changing Pad

So my latest passion is sewing. I can't seem to stop! Yesterday I made my first changing pad. It has a pocket on the inside to allow for diapers and wipes. I decided to call it the Grab 'N Stuff Changer, kinda cheezy, I know, but it was the first thing that came to my head that wasnt't already used. It folds up and ties with a cute ribbon.

I used high loft quilt batting so it is super soft and comfy. (and washable, of course) I also dug around in by supplies drawer and found these cute swirly buttons that I had bought at the Field's Fabrics tent sale last year and they matched perfectly!

I have had this pink leopard print fabric for a while and really like it paired with black and pink. I always check the remnant bin at Hobby Lobby and Field's Fabrics for small pieces. If I really search, I can usually find a couple cute remnants that are at least a half yard, plenty for use, and usually cheaper.

P.S. mytwobabes giveaway drawing today!

Custom Order for Amy

My mom gave a hooded towel as a baby shower gift with some ladies at the Chamber of Commerce. Another shower goer loved it and called to have her own gift made. They were unable to find anything with Great Grandma on it so I made a burp cloth with "Great Grandma Rocks" on it with pink and bright star fabric on the back. She likes pink and green so I made hooded towel with flower ribbon and pink names. Congrats and welcome Airiana Rain. It was a pleasure. I hope she uses this towel for many years to come.

Diaper Bag for Jeanine!

I was asked by a long time friend to make a personalized diaper bag for her son. As always, I said sure! She picked out this really cute animal and number fabric with green accent and I think if turned out really cute (so maybe I'm a little biased but ...). I even did pockets on the inside, plus one even has his name on it, only becuase I was not happy with how the embroidery turned out so I redid it, but had to use it somewhere. You can see more closeup photos on Flickr.

mytwobabes Giveaway!!!

Mytwobabes is having her weekly GIVEAWAY! This week Girly Bowtique is offereing a $5.00 Gift Certificate to her Etsy Shop. My favorite? this cute cupcake bow! I have to say, her things are so cute, and especially dear to my heart becase of my beautiful daughter Tressa, who is incredibly spoiled (who can blame me after having two boys?). So check this out and register to win!

Etsy Product Packaging

I decided to hand make my thank you cards for my etsy purchases. I also ordered business cards and postcards (designed by Kristin) to send with so customers know how much I appreciate their business and gives them an easy way to remember how to contact me.