We are deep in boxes packing up for our big move. I wanted to finish a few things before packing up my sewing machine, paints and all of my craft materials. First, I had to finish my littel I-guy’s outfit for my sister’s wedding. Super-E and my nephew are also in the wedding and are wearing white short-sleeve dress shirts with black shorts and red suspenders. I couldn’t find anything similar for an 18 month old (well, anything that I could afford) and so I made this using McCall’s pattern #2033. It’s one of the very few boy patterns out there, by the way. I-guy looks quite addorable in it, kind of like a little penguin. I added red and black grograin ribbon for a more formal look.

I also made these little thank you cards to send out for Super-E’s birthday gifts that he received. He made little pictures of himself and I transfered them to rubber stamps. He loves how the stamp turned out and has been beggin” to do more.

We have lots more packing to do. My postings will be pretty sporadic from now on until we get settled in our new digs.

I made this little box and these cards for my sister’s wedding. The idea is to have these cards (hand carved rubber stamp + digital text) available at the reception so that people can jot down best wishes for the bride & groom. Then she can keep the cards stored in this pretty little mosaic box. Later on down the road, when my sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law are feeling sentimental, they can read the cards together and maybe even to their children someday.

We had a very very busy weekend. On Saturday we had a yard sale to rid ourselves of loads and loads of junk. I can’t believe how much stuff we have collected over the past ten or so years. It’s hard to believe that Ry-daddy and I lived in a 325 sq. ft. apt for 4 years! Yes, that’s right. While we were in college we lived in a teeny teeny apartment. It was actually family housing for those without children. It was cheap and we had everything we needed. So why do we have so much crap now! It just boggles my mind. Anyway, we made $350 for a bunch of junk- most of which I just gave away. Very very cool! Craft stores here I come (just kidding honey!)

Sunday we had a nice day, very Ry-daddyish. Some World Cup Soccer (2 games), a trip to the movies to see Cars (Super E & Daddy only), pineapple upside-down cake, and some basketball (go Heat!- yes, we are anti-Dallas since they beat the Suns). It was a good day for Daddy.

I was also able to finish my cards for the Hand Carved Stamp Recipe Card Swap. I’m having the hardest time with my printer. I wanted to print the recipe part out so I wouldn’t have to write it 10 times and it just wasn’t working to it’s fullest potential. I got it to work just enough to get them printed out, so they are not as pretty as I would like, but they will have to do. The other side of the card is covered with fun salsa themed stamps. I’ll be sending those out tomorrow.

And I made this little backpack for Super E to help me carry kid stuff (one diaper, wipes, snacks, and water) to the playroom at the gym. Now he can carry this on his back instead of struggling to keep the straps of a bag on his shoulder. And I only have to carry my bag and my little I-guy. Much much better.

Lastly, a quick note: Our house has officially sold. All the problems were worked out (deep sigh of relief) and we are on our way to the closing date (July 27). We still won’t be able to breathe easy until we have officially signed closing papers and are driving to Arizona. Until then, lots of packing I will be doing!

oh and check out my latest refashion project here.

The mommy and baby bonnets are off in the mail for my sister and my niece. I am very hopeful that they will get to them before the weekend gets here and that my sister will kindly send me a picture of them (or at least my niece) wearing the bonnet.

Also in the mail to me (about a week ago) was a lovely packet of stickers from Moki’s sticker swap. The theme was spring and the challenge was to carve a 1 x 1 inch design out of rubber stamps. These three were my contribution to the swap.

This was what I received in return. A lovely assortment of some very delightful stickers. I love them all.

This week’s topic is a no brainer for me because I love little feet. Especially my two little guy’s feet. The coming of beautiful warm spring weather means the running around of little bare feet at my house. Little toes and feet being tickled by newly growing grass and wet from water sprinklers in the yard.

Before I was a stay-at-home mom, I was a postpartum nurse, taking care of mommies and babies right after delivery. One of the greatest joys of this job is assessing new babies. Looking at curious new eyes, the strength of little hands grasping your finger, little mouths opening ready to be fed and the counting of little toes. I love the feel of baby feet, there soft padded bottoms and little toes curling and stretching. It is truly heart warming.

When my babies were very little, you could usually find me with one hand caressing or holding those soft little toes and feet. Now that my littlest one is starting to walk, there isn’t much of that happening anymore- sniff, sniff.

This week I thought it the perfect time to pull out my rubber stamping supplies and carve out a print. This is a 4″ x 5.5″ stamp. It is printed with black ink on white linen paper, then colored in with colored pencils.

Some rubber stamps I made. I love making these. I actually made these into some note cards that I gave to a friend who loves coffee drinks. Each drink had it’s own card - made two of each for a total of 8 cards.

I made these by stamping blocks of color, then the coffee stamp, scanned them onto the computer, and added type. So fun!!

I finally bought some rubber carving blocks to make stamps with. It is so much fun, a little messy, but still a lot of fun. You just draw a design, copy it onto your rubber carving piece then carve away the negative space with linoleum cutting tools. One of the great things about it is that the rubber is thick enough to carve on both sides!

I’ve made little stamps (1″ x 2″) and bigger ones too (4″x6″). I’m a real dork though. Without thinking I made a stamp that said “snail mail” on it but forgot to reverse it. So now it says “liam lians” Too bad too, it was a really cute stamp. Maybe I’ll make another one. The 4″ x 6″ stamps that I am making is a series of four called “Seasons”. When I am done I’ll post them.