Monday, October 13, 2008

Contratulations to Emily & Aunt Rachel

I have a wonderfully creative and generous sister. My girls are so lucky to have her. Each year Rachel enters the Maryland Make It With Wool competition. She has been doing it for probably 10 years or more. Once she had nieces she decided to sew for them and have them model in the competition. So this year she made Emily a GEORGEOUS red wool coat trimmed in velvet. This year Rachel won Reserve Adult Champion with Emily's coat. Emily was so excited because the prize was a mini Singer sewing machine. I can not tell you how excited she was about this! All she talks about is wanting to sew on HER machine. My sister has created a monster. :) Here is a picture of Aunt Rachel in her wool outfit and Emily in her wool coat. Yes Rachel's is all wool! The top is a wool crepe she got in London. I think she said it was Vanentino.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

OLYMPICS!!!!

It has been a while since I have posted a blog. I guess that means I have been busy!! I have. We went to Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, Delaware for a weeks vacation. Many thanks to my parents for sponsoring the week! Then we had Kidz Fun Kamp to attend. What a fabulous week! So much fun. And now on to the Olympics. I LOVE the opening ceremonies last night. I think my favorite section was the cubes that seemed to be on hydraulics but it was people!!! That was absolutely incredible! I can't image how they went about practicing. I hope you too are enjoying these games.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Picking

I am so happy summer is here.  For us it means lots of picking.  We pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and pumpkins in the fall.  Once our garden comes in we will be picking tomatoes and pole beans.  Earlier this spring we has sweet peas. 
 Oh they were yummy!  We had a big enough crop we were able to freeze some.  I love watching my girls go down to the vines and pick and eat them right on the spot.  To me that is the way it should be.  Every kid needs to know where food co
me from, how much work it takes to produce it and then how to enjoy the food item.

But I diegress.  The past week we have gone blueberry picking two times.  It has been awesome.  Easy pickings this year and Emily has been able to pick more than she eats!  Molly will reach out her hand when we get out of the van and sign 'eat' as soon as she sees the plants.  We pick our berries and take them back up to the farm house to weigh them.  The first picking we had 10 lbs and today we had 7 lbs.  Tonight we had blueberry pancakes with home made blueberry syrup.  I think everyone should have blueberry syrup.  Here is a recipe and dirrections: Blueberry Syrup  I did the 1/2 sugar option and it was sweet enough!!  Here are a few pics of us and the blueberries:


















No that is not me and my husband.  These people are my parents.  Also known as Grandma and Pappap.  They LOVE being grandparents and spending time with the girls doing activities likes these are what they thrive on.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Bulk Food

If your grocery store has a bulk food section you know the drill.  Select your item, scoop some in the bag, key in the code and print your label.  So the girls and I were in the grocery store today heading to the bulk food section to grab some dried cranberries.  Scooping up dried cranberries was this 'gentleman'.  Already in his bag was a trail mix.  So here I am thinking he was just adding cranberries to his mix.  (he was shaking the bag to mix it up).  Ok not the biggest crime of the century but it gets worse.  He scoops up dried mango, pineapple, and papaya.  Shaking the bag all the time.  Then he goes for nuts.  OK.  I have had it.  I am going to say something.  After all that is what Jesus would do right ? (WWJD?)

Me: Excuse me. You know you are not suppose to mix the items.
Guy: (smiling with fake surprise look) Oh really? I didn't know ( Scoop scoop)
Me: Yeah.  They all have different unit prices.  But I guess you already knew that. (cheesy smile)
Guy:  Yeah I guess I should pick an average unit price to make it fair.
Me: (roll eyes)

Then I snatch my dried cranberries off the scale and head back down the isle.  I see him through out the store with his stolen items.  I try not to shoot him a dirty look and he tries not to make eye contact with me.

I understand that gas prices are up and that makes food go up.  But COME ON!!!!  By Paying 2.99 a lb for your 8.99 a lb item will eventually make all items go up more!!!

I should have said:
I hope you can sleep tonight knowing that some one else knows that you are cheating the grocery store.
I am a secret shopper for the grocery store.  Smile you too are on camera!
I would pay for that right away before the management comes looking for you.


BUT I didn't.  I am not that fast on my feet.  The fact that I said anything at all surprised me.  So if you are one of those who do not pay the appropriate unit price for your goods, watch out... I am watching you.

And if you are the guy whom I ran into today.  Shame on you.  I hope your trail mix had bugs in it.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Not ribbon related but realy cool

With summer just around the corner I am thinking towards picnics and camp fires. I saw these really awesome wine glass holders that you can steak into the grass. But they were about $10 each. Ouch!! My first instincts were to ask my husband to make a few for me. He is very handy when it comes to metal crafts. But then my mom brought over a flower steak for some sunflowers. I couldn't believe my eyes. It looked like it could hold a wine glass. I tried it and wallah! It works!


The most fabulous thing about this discovery is the price. I found them at Wal*Mart for less than $1.50 each. I found them in our 'green house' section. They were on a metal display with other garden steaks and arbors. There were several heights to choose from at my Wal*Mart. Now grant it they are not the thickest piece of metal like the others I have seen. I am willing to make the sacrifice for the price and when I have a glass of wine it does not stay heavy for long!

Monday, June 2, 2008

I won an award

Many thanks to Rosie's Cozies for bestowing upon me my first blog award. I was awarded the Arte Y Pico award! This award recognizes a blog's creativity and overall contribution to the blogger community.I in turn would like to honor the following for their contribution to the blog community:
1.Little Pink Pansy
2. Punky N Munky
3. Princess Tiffany's Creations
4. JuJu Bean Boutique Bows
5. Ribbon Wands

Once you've been selected, please follow these guidelines and pay it forward:

1) Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.
2) Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog by so everyone can view it.
3) Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.
4) The award-winner and the presenter should post the link of the "Arte y pico"blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5) Please post these rules!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Next Survivor Series

This was an e-mail that was forwarded to me from a friend and I laughed so hard. I just had to put it up on the blog to share it with you all. Go ahead and laugh. I did.


THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes. There is no fast food. Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week. Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing. Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.

He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care. He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function. Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times. The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done. The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting. They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information:
each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name.
Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right To be called Mother!

After you get done laughing, send this to as many females as you think will get a kick out of it and as many men as you think can handle it. Just don't send it back to me.... I'm going to bed.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Baby & Kids Expo Revisited


The Expo was as much fun as I was hoping it would be. Too many cute kids and adults acting like kids. The ribbon wands were a big hit and I almost sold out. Many thanks to my friend Sarah ( yes we have the same name) for helping me out the entire day and attracting kiddos to the booth by playing ribbon wands with me. I met so many nice people and reconnected with some vendors I had met in the past. It was great to see how everyones products have evolved over the past years. I can't wait to do it again next year. Many thanks to KM Photography Studios for providing me with this photo of me playing ribbon wands in my booth. Getting a photo with both my eyes open and with out a ribbon in front of my face is no small task.

Oh My! Ponny-O's!


Yet another fun thing I have found to do with ribbon is make pony-o's. A pony-o is a ponytail elastic with the ribbon already attached. This way you don't have to worry about the ribbon falling off of your ponytail! The ribbon is a foot in length and topped of with a co-ordinating knot. The 7/8" wide ribbon O's have 2 lengths of ribbon where the 3/8" ribbon have 4 lengths. The choice is yours. These can be found at Mommy's 'Lil Rascals consignment shop in Machester, Pa or you can contact me to place an order. Currently they are not on my Etsy site.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Tomorrow is the DAY!!


I am so excited that tomorrow is the day for the York Baby and Kids Expo.  It is such a fun event.  First off it is FREE.  And we all know how I feel about the word FREE.  There is going to be a bounce house, face painting, giveaways, walk around Abby Caddaby and the Steven Courtney Band.  Don't forget about the diaper derby.  I  don't know who is more fun to watch, the babies or the adults!!  But of course you should stop by and see me at booth 301.  I am going to be right inside the doors of the hall.  If you see a photographer roaming about that is the talent of KM Photography Studio.  Cheese it up for the camera!  Be on the look out for my blog buddy Little Pink Pansy.  She will be there with so many boutique items!   Do you see why I am excited about this day?  It is going to be an awesome event for all.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

May You Always Dance and Twirl

I came home from a wonderful weekend at the beach with my family to find a special request in my inbox from a customer on etsy. I LOVE special requests and this one was so much fun. I hope the little people who receive these ribbon wands will always have a childish spirit and never forget how much fun it is to dance and twirl. We all should do so more often!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Mini Piggies m2m Gymboree Spring Rainbow


I have been meaning to make these since my daughters received pieces of the Spring Rainbow line from Gymboree and I finally got around to it today. And you know who didn't want to wear them to preschool! These piggies measure approx. 2 inches across and are great to top off your pigtails.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Black Bean, Corn, Avocado Salsa MMMMM

My friend Gail made this yummy salsa last summer and it was a big hit. I dug the recipe out and made a bath today and the girls and I had it for dinner. It is pretty healthy. The avocado and the black beans have loads of nutrients in them.

Here is the recipe:
2 medium ripe avocados ( used 1)
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 oz can corn, rinsed and drained
1 jalapeño pepper seeded and diced
⅓ cup chopped red onion ( I used white)
3 T. lime juice ( fresh is better but I used bottled)
½ t. salt
½ t. cumin
¼ t. red pepper (I used fresh ground black)


If you haven't discovered tastebook, go check it out. This is where I am storing all my recipes these days. One day I will do the print option but with having my laptop on my counter in my kitchen I haven't had the need to get a hard copy yet. I can see how they would make wonderful bridal shower gifts or compile family recipes.

I wanted to conclude with my girls eating their vegetables:

Monday, April 21, 2008

My Favorite Four Letter "F" Word

My favorite 4 letter 'F' word is FREE!!!! I am offering free shipping for a while. I hope that everyone takes the opportunity and stocks up on bows and accessories. This is a great time to try one of my items or fulfill that wish list you have. As always custom orders are encouraged.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Punky n Munky

The ribbon and bow world has so many nice people in it. One I have met is Punky N Munky. Such a creative ribbon sculpturist who never ceases to amaze me as to the things she can create out of 3/8" ribbon. Now she has come out with an e-book to help those who would like to learn how to create ribbon sculptures. See what I mean about people being nice? Check out her blog and see what I mean. Or stop by her shop to see her selection of pretties!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Find My Ribbon Fix Items at Little Pink Pansy.com

I am so excited to have my items featured at Little Pink Pansy. I met Little Pink Pansy at last years Baby and Kids Expo. Such a wonderful site full of boutique specialty items for you, your kido and your home. The site is constantly updated with the latest and greatest. Don't forget to check out the items that benefit Hands and Feet Project and Pardada Pardadi. Also thank you to Little Pink Pansy for featuring my bows for summer shoes on their blog.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Over the Rainbow


I am premiering my rainbow clippies here on the blog. They are cute single prong clippies in the colors of the rainbow and I have them divided into the sections of the rainbow. Top of the rainbow: pink, sherbet stripe, red and orange.

Middle of the rainbow: yellow, lime, green, light blue.

End of the rainbow: sapphire, aqua, lilac and dark purple.

Perfect for keeping bangs in place or to keep fly aways tamed. Do not forget to ask for no slip sleeves when you order if you need them!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Find My Ribbon Fix at Mommy's Lil' Rascals

I am so excited to have my bows at Mommy's Lil' Rascals consignment shop in Manchester, Pa. Beth is excited about the bows and has them featured on the front of the counter.  Her shop is so clean, so neat and a wonderful place to find an awesome bargain for your little one.   It is hard for me not to walk out with an armful of goodies.  My oldest loves going there because Beth has a chalkboard painted on the wall for the kids to play at while I do 'business'.  Look for black and orange combination bows made especially for Mommy's Lil' Rascals shop to promote school spirit for Northern School district!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Mini Piggies!


My latest and greatest are mini piggies.  A mini piggie is a mini corker meant to top off your pigtails.  These piggies are made from gross gain ribbon and are heat set to ensure the cork doesn't come out.  I hand sew them one cork at a time and attach them to a partially lined single prong clippe.  These are mini because they are approximately 2 inches across.  So much fun!  Contact me if you would like some.  They are currently not on my etsy site but I will have some at the Baby and Kid Expo.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Key Fob/Wristlet



In keeping with my getting ready for the Baby & Kids Expo I was in mass production of my key fobs. They are such a handy thing to have too keep your keys right at hand. Wrap it around your wrist and go. I am able to flip my keys in my hand and unlock my house while holding my 1 year old daughter and a bag of groceries in the other. So handy! I love seeing them all lined up. Such a feeling of accomplishment.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Getting Ready for the Baby & Kids Expo

I am working away at building stock for the Baby and Kids Expo scheduled for May 10 at the York Expo center. I have been apart of this expo each year it has been in existence and it is an EXCELLENT show! I don't know which I would enjoy more, attending as a patron or as a vendor. There is so much to do and see for kids of all ages. Last year I was next to the stage and got to see all the great kid entertainment all day long. The feel of the expo is so festive and so full of energy. It is hard not to enjoy it!

Find my booth right when you walk in the door of the hall. I will have a show special on ribbon wands and lots of bows to choose from. I will also have a line of baby jewelry and mommy bracelets that I will be taking special orders for. Back to the ribbon room!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Tag I am it!

I haven't blogged in a while and then I come back to check out the blogs I keep up with and BAM! I am tagged. Being new at this here I go:

The rules are:

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself.
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

My items:

1.I am a natural blonde. All the 'blonde' things I do are just me being me.
2. My sister and I look nothing alike even though we have the same parents. Apparently we are from the opposite end of the gene pool.
3. I love watching the algae eater eat algae in out tank.
3. Finding 7 things that are random and or weird about me is HARD!
4. I hate to exercise. Basically I hate to sweat.
5. I love spring.
6. I crave sushi when I am pregnant.
7. I enjoy the hick ups. (Except when they get obnoxious)

I am going to tag:


As you can see I need to go find the links to people. I will return.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Horton Hears a Who



My hubby had off from work yesterday due to it being Good Friday so he took our daughter to see Horton Hears a Who.  I was home with out youngest but some how I got inspired and this is what came out.  This is my interpretation of the clover from the movie.  I think it is so cute!  But that is just my opinion.  What is your?  If you HAVE to have one here is a link to my site where you can find this and other things so you too can get your 'ribbon fix'.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Rights of Spring

I checked the calendar this morning and it was the first day of spring.  That could only mean one thing. It was free icee day at Rita's Italian ice.  It never fails that it is cold, windy and rainy on the first day of spring.  But we lucked out this year and no rain.  So I called my friend Sarah and she along with our daughters Emily, Molly and Molly we trekked off to Rita's for our free icee.  I did indulge and got the new Birthday Cake flavor.  I think I have a new favorite!  Creamy custardy goodness all in a Rita's Italian ice.  Way to go Rita!

Ribbon Wands!



Growing up I was IN LOVE with the rhythmic gymnasts I saw at the Olympics.  It was a beautiful combination of ballet, gymnastics, and that AWESOME ribbon wand!  The ribbon wand was just an extension of the girl and she could make it do the most amazing tricks.  But alas, it was not to be for me, I never had a ribbon wand.  So I am now compensating for that and making them in mass!!
I have ribbon wands in so many colors.  Pink, lilac, robin egg blue, periwinkle purple, primary yellow, raspberry wine, white, navy, and black.  The ribbon is an inch and a half wide double faced satin ribbon.  It is a attached to the wand with a brass swivel.  This prevents the ribbon from twisting and causing frustration.
But the part I think I love the most is the PERSONALIZATION!  On the stick you can have your name, event or a personal message printed on the stick.  This is perfect for weddings, birthday parties, or school spirit!  Contact me for further details.  As always I can be found at www.myribbonfix.etsy.com

Monday, March 17, 2008

Congrats to KM Photography Studios!!!!

Congrats to KM for being voted Best Wedding photographer for PA for 2008 by The knot magazine. Your work SOOOO deserves it!!! Pure talent!!!
http://kmphoto.bigfolioblog.com/

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Krispy Kreme...MMMMMM


Isn't this the most beautiful sight you have ever seen?  I now live in Pennsylvania but once upon a time I lived in Charleston, SC where they have this wondrous place called Krispy Kreme.  Melt in your mouth goodness that you will enjoy for a lifetime because they go straight to your waistline!  My husband took me on a surprise vacation and we went to Charleston, SC and Savannah.  We made it a point to find a Krispy Kreme for breakfast one morning.  I was hoping for the HOT sign to be lit.  AND IT WAS!!!  This is the icing on the cake!  Or doughnut in this case.  The doughnuts literally dissolve in your mouth.  It is the closest thing to heaven I have ever experienced.  

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Rockin' Robin

Spring is on its way!!!!  I have seen robins hopping around my front and back yard. I am so excited!  That means that spring is right around the corner!  I am fresh from my surprise trip to Charleston and Savannah and I have the spring fever.  I have a touch of a tan on my face and I am ready to shed the jeans and put on the shorts.  Seeing the robins in the yard makes me want to get in the garden and see what I can grow this year.  Tomatoes, green beans, peas, beets, wild flowers.  COME ON SPRING!!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Made to Match Tennis Match


Here is my latest and greatest. It is my new favorite made to match the "Tennis Match" line from Gymboree. If you know me and my girls you know that they wear a LOT of Gymboree clothes. My mom and my sister 'sponsor' this obsession by financing the entire venture. Thanks mom!!!

I am also so excited that my bows will be available at Mommy's Lil' Rascals consignment store starting this afternoon! I am so excited at this opurtunity. Find them at:
4350 North George St.
Manchester, Pa 17345

Monday, March 3, 2008

first post!

Here I am. Starting a blog. We will see how long this lasts. :) We will see how I can navigate this whole blog thing. Every body is blogging... why shouldn't I? I am doing it for my business. To throw out ideas and think through things. I am doing it to share funnies from my life. We shal see how this goes.....