Can It Be...

... I found something sweeter than a tutu? I think I might have stumbled across something today... How can I claim to be a pretties loving momma when I have never seen one of these sweet babies?

Do you know what that is folks? No, besides this Etsian's adorable little girl. It is.... a pettiskirt. I'm sorry, but, how freakin' adorable is that?! There are hardly any words that will suffienctly describe this complete overload of adorableness.

I will ofcourse have to research this until I am able to create my own. Not to sell ofcourse, I don't think I could ever do that good of a job. But say for home, preschool, naptime, bathtime, grocery shopping time, you know, those times when it's absolutely mandatory to be sporting no less than a pettiskirt. I would so love to just run out and purchase me.. err... I mean the LP's this

No, not the baby. Actually, Mr. Pretties and I do quite well at making adorable babies all on our own, don't really to go about purchasing those on Etsy. In addition, I'm fairly certain we. are. done. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't jump at the chance to borrow this adorable little munchkin and smooch those chubby little cheeks. Because I would. Obviously.

Now that you've seen these, if you desperately require one as much as I do, and your husband/wife is more understanding than mine and completely understands that this would be $60 more than well spent, pop on over to Rachel On The Flower to see what else she's got! You wont be sorry, let me tell you! Your husband/wife... well, I can't worry about everyone now can I?

Nom Nom Nom...

Oh My Goodness, I was looking for catnip toys for my personal Noah's Arc this evening (Yes I can make my own, but why?) and came across these. They're called WildMen and they're made by a very funny Etsian who's shop is called ArtToGo. These are what the WildMen actually look like, incase you can't see them through your giggle tears reading that LoLCat type caption.

This is their description:

This is a toy that's just as entertaining for you, as it is for your cat. I've been making catnip wildmen for my cats (I currently live with four) for many years. I make them from the most obnoxious and colorful polar fleece prints I can find. Bug, (that's him, doing a great job of demonstrating don't you think?) has never managed to tear one of these open. Oh, he chews and licks them, and they end up damp with kitty spit, BUT still intact. It's amazing! That polar fleece is mighty tough. I'm not going to guarantee that your kitty won't tear it apart, but Bug is a big ole moose, and if he can't tear it apart, it's not likely that your cat will. This toy is stuffed with catnip, and nothing else. I purchase the catnip, as I've tried to grow my own many times, but every year some creature(s) rolls all over my plants until they die (the plants, not the creatures.) These catnip wildmen are about 9” long, because Bug is a big kitty, and needs a big kitty toy. Postage is $1.50 for one, and $2 for two. Convo me with your color choice (black, purple, or multi) or, I'll pick one for you.

The description alone gave me the giggles. I don't know if it's lack of sleep, lack of brains, or total lack of control, but it just struck me funny. You know what happens when I think somethings funny? Well, yes, I have had three kids and my bladder isn't necessarily what it used to be, but that's not what I meant. Can't I have any privacy around here? I meant, that I share it with all of you. I know one of you out there is madly searching for something like a Wildman for you kitty love and I have delivered! Saved the day again no doubt.

Just incase you're not searching for a Wildman specifically, ArtToGo also creates pieces such as:

Vintage Crazy Quilt Hearts (You know I lurve me some shabby and vintage!)

And these gorgeous crazy colour scarves (I lurve me some wild colours!)

You can also catch her products here, at her personal website:

www.ashlingdesigns.com

I've been thinking I'll change my name... perhaps to something that reflects my habit of devoting posts to other Etsy shops, organizations, and, basically anything that isn't hair clippies. Or, maybe I could mind my own business are worry about my own craft... but, what fun would that be?!

Holy Cutialicious...

...You've heard the saying 'Things that make you go Hmm...' well, this post will be classified as 'Things that make you go OMG-That-Hurts-Me-It's-So-Adorable'.

You all know once every few weeks I try to post about Etsians that both I think are totally fab and that I think you'll probably enjoy, say, alot. So today I'm going to post about Blossom Toys. Blossom Toys makes adorable children's toys that are enjoyed because the colours, patterns, and materials she uses are intriguing to the wee ones. No batteries required, just an imagination and a love for all things adorable. One of my current favorites, that I really think LLP requires is this, the chocolate pink teething jingle elephant:

Can you even stand how cute that is? LOVE it. Here's the shops description:

This little zoo creature is sure to become one of your baby's favorite snugglies. The legs will make great teething surfaces and a small bell in the middle will reward baby with a pleasant jingle when he gives a shake to his new friend.Each animal is individually handcut and sewn giving each creature unique personality. Pattern placement will vary slightly. Please allow 7-10 days for production.Approximately 6" x 4"

Next up from Blossom Toys is the Wise Owl Doodle Cady. Seriously, this is so genius I still haven't figured out how I didn't think of this. Get tired of the crayon box getting ripped and then having to cart around tupperware/baggies/boxes of crayons? Need something for the little guys to do in the car/restaurant/dr's office? Then this is definitely the way to go!

Great idea, clearly. As if the idea weren't great enough, I lurve me some of those funky owls, they're my fav! Here's the shop description:

Keep those wiggly, busy fingers busy doodling when you are on-the-go with this compact crayon and notepad caddy. Fun designer fabric is paired with a solid chocolate colored liner to keep 8 crayons and a 3x5 notebook (both included) neatly contained. Perfect for restaurants, doctor's offices, trains, planes and automobiles.Secured with a coordinating grosgrain ribbon, this caddy rolls into a easily portable 4" x 6" and unrolls to approximately 6" x 11.5".

Lastly, I love this ball. It's the Jingle Bell Cloth Ball. It's an adorable, jingle, colourful ball of sweetness! If my girls were younger I'd be all over this, the colours a splendid, great for the really tinies who can can only recognize bold patterns and it requires a little bit of imagination. I love imaginative toys, they're the best to get those little minds going!

Those are my absolute favorite colours. Honestly, if I bought some I'd buy three in coordinating patterns and put them in a ball for some serious girlie decor. But that's how I roll... Here's the shop description:

Beautiful, modern fabric come together to become a great ball perfect for baby.Toys do not need to be made of plastic and run on batteries to be fun. This ball is made from three coordinating, 100% cotton fabric from Moda's Flirtation collection and stuffed with polyester fill. A bell is carefully placed in the center of each ball producing a very pleasant jingle and rattle when it is shaken, rolled or thrown. At 17 inches around, it is the perfect size for a game of toss and catch. You will have years of fun - my little guy loves to toss the balls across the room and go running after them, and my older son is learning how to catch. Who doesn’t like playing ball?

So that's where I'm at today. I try not to 'plug' too much, but I do think these are items some, if not all, of you can enjoy and now you know about them! What if I hadn't posted this and you were in dire need of a crayon caddy? Let's not even think about it, I've saved you from that fate! Whew!

Keep in mind this is only one of many, many wonderful children's shops that make up EtsyKids, a fab street team who create wonderful handmade, children geared treasures!

Korkers, Korkers Everwhere...

... Okay, not quite everywhere... but it seems like it. Did you know it's really hard to keep cats and kids alike out of newly korkered ribbon? It's like a magnetic attraction that just can't be stopped. I had to drag BLP out of a pile of korkers about 600 times lastnight. Due to this I only got five korkers done. I hate me and my slowness, I'm a lot faster in my head...

I was looking into another mom sale next weekend, I'm like addicted to those. I'd go every day if I could, even if I do spend whatever I make. Anywho... I was looking at their website (did you know some mom sales have websites? Yeah, they do) and there was a mom there selling clippies, just clippies. That's cool, right? Sure! Despite the fact that that was my purpose in going... BUT she was selling them for $4 EACH. Oh. My. God. I was like wow... they must be some pretty amazing clippies, I may need to purchase me some (I am not above buying clippies from other sellers, I like having things that are different than what I make) so I check out the website, which I shall not post here. Honestly? They were no better than mine. They even had check hard plastic flower things stuck to them. I think she said they were made to match some Gymbo lines but they sure didn't look like it. I even laughed when the website 'and for ONLY $4 each!' Wow... seriously...

Now don't get me wrong, I have seen $4+ clippies on Etsy that are definitely worth $4+ each, and I personally would pay that because they are either a) unique, b) gorgeous, or c) both. So, totally worth it. But when I see clippies that're very basic and then have a cheap plastic flower hot glued on with a $4 price tag I kind of want to go to the sale and ask what she's trying to pull. We live in an area where it's hard to find trendy things at a reasonable price and she's totally taking advantage of buyers because of that. They don't know $4ea is a rip off. Not to mention I saw them at an upscale children's salon a couple months ago for $7 a pair and they were excellent quality and very, very cute. What the heck people?! Hmm... I might just go to this sale anyway... sometimes people make me so mad!

This post kind of turned into a rant... didn't mean for it to and it's not going to result in my writing angry emails and then apologizing or anything, but what is with people? I charge $2.50 for a pair of clippies that were a little bit more work than a basic and that's because, in all honesty, they aren't that hard to make and don't require that much time. Korkers are a little more time and effort intensive so I have to charge more. But I charge $2.50 not because they're an inferior quality product, but because I don't think I need to be gouging anyone, aren't we all mommies? Doesn't every mommy want a fun and functional hair pretty for their sweetie? So why gouge other mommies just because you can? Do you like being taken advantage of because you don't know how to make something or don't have the time? I very much doubt it... Okay, sorry. Getting off my soap box, we're so done talking about this. I promise this time. And no not a 'I'll post clippies tonight' kind of promise, the kind I can actually keep. So done. This seller even has a fancy website that looks all fabbity fab, but why have a fab website when you have a not-so-fab product? Okay. Really. I'm totally done this time.

On that note I'm going to take my aggrevated self and go felt some roving... now that is labour intensive. Stupid plastic flowers... honestly... I swear I could see the seams on the plastic from the moulds, you know the really cheap stuff you get at the dollar store? Like that. Yuck. I really shouldn't knock other people's work, but it really bugs me when people are all about the money, especially with a product made for mommies. Jerks. Okay, I'm going now. We shall never discuss this again. Maybe...

Yes, Yes I Do Make Clippies...

... I do, honest! I've been receiving emails wanting to know why I haven't listed anything new on Etsy. They've been like 'Where are the clippies?' 'Why haven't you listed anything new?' 'Don't you love us anymore?' Okay, that was a stretch... Here's the reason, are you ready? Okay.

*Deep Breath*

I've been saving them for the mom2mom sale.

*Hangs Head In Shame*

I'm sorry. I shouldn't be holding out on you like that! I know, Iknow, I'm a bad Etsy blogging mommy. I'm going to finish some up tonight and post them on Etsy. I promise. I can always take what doesn't sell on Etsy to the Mom2Mom sale.

I'm also waiting for my 'Made To Match' Gymbo lines ribbon to come in so I can have some M2M Gymbo korkers. AND I've even hauled out my roving to felt some fancy flower clippies. Woohoo! Are you proud? I might actually need to order more clippie cards!

I'm actually in the middle of assembling korkers, and soaking my roving, so I'm going to get on creating. I promise I wont hold out anymore, clippies are the reason for this blog, sometimes I forget that... not that you could tell or anything...

EtsyKids BOGO Sale...

... BOGO Me Baby!!

Friday October 24th and Saturday October 25th be a part of a massive Etsy Street Team event. An EtsyKids BOGO sale of monstrous proportions!! With over 175 EtsyKids’ shops participating you’ll be sure to find huge deals on what you need this holiday season for children big and small.

A La Mode Fabric - http://alamodefabric.etsy.com/
Ali Bug Bowtique - http://www.alibugbowtique.etsy.com/
Baby Friendly Beads - http://bfbeads.etsy.com/
Baby Hangers - http://www.babyhangers.etsy.com/
Baby Kay's - http://www.babykaysboutique.etsy.com/
Baby Peas And Carrots - http://www.babypeasandcarrots.etsy.com/
Bam Designs - http://bamdesigns.etsy.com/
Black Eyed Susie - http://www.blackeyedsusie.etsy.com/
Boo Roo's Bowtique - http://www.booroosbowtique.etsy.com/
Bossy Baby - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5430401
Bows & Things - http://www.bowsandthings.etsy.com/
Bumble Belly Designs - http://bumblebellydesigns.etsy.com/
Chichi Boulie - http://www.chichiboulie.etsy.com/
CiCi Art Factory - http://www.cicifactory.etsy.com/
Ciuccio - http://www.ciuccio.etsy.com/
Coco and Milk Weed - http://www.cocoandmilkweed.etsy.com/
Cozy Cabin Creations - http://www.cozycabinmom.etsy.com/
Cute And Sweet - http://cuteandsweet.etsy.com/
Daisy Chains - http://daisychains.etsy.com/
Deedaloos - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5137032
Designs By Michele - http://www.designsbymichele.etsy.com/
Dine.N.Doodle - http://lilbdesigns.etsy.com/
Doodies Booties - http://www.doodiesbooties.etsy.com/
Doodle Designs - http://doodledesigns.etsy.com/
Ellie Beans - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5202542
Flora and Nicole's - http://www.flowernicky.etsy.com/
Francisbel Boutique - http://www.francisbel.etsy.com/
Going-Ga-Ga - http://goinggaga.etsy.com/
Grandmas Girl - http://www.grandmasgirl.etsy.com/
Griffin Gear - http://griffingear.etsy.com/
Happy House Quilts - http://happyhousequilts.etsy.com/
Hip Kids Tye-Dye - http://www.hipkidstyedye.etsy.com/
Hot Fudge - http://www.hotfudge.etsy.com/
Hullabaloo Boutique - http://www.hullabalooboutique.etsy.com/
I Luv U TuTu Much - http://iluvututumuch.etsy.com/
Itsy Bitsy Bunny - http://www.itsybitsybunny.etsy.com/
Jennifer's Bows and More - http://www.jennifersbowsnmore.etsy.com/
Joey And Aleethea - http://joeyandaleethea.etsy.com/
Jus Shar Designs - http://psbbdesigns.etsy.com/
Kaching Design - http://www.kachingdesign.etsy.com/
Kathy's Lil Creations - http://www.kathyslilcreations.etsy.com/
Katie Bean Kids - http://www.katiebeankids.etsy.com/
KeiKi Boutique - http://www.keikiboutique.etsy.com/
Kim's Stitch In Time - http://www.kimsstitchintime.etsy.com/
Kissie Girl - http://www.kissegirl.etsy.com/
Knit Style - http://knitstyle.etsy.com/
Kuddle Bugz Threadz - http://kuddlebugzthreadz.etsy.com/
Lemon Cadet - http://www.lemoncadet.com/
Lilly Rose Bow Company - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5095159
Little Bird Creations - http://www.littlebirdcreations.etsy.com/
Little Bit Designs - http://www.girliemomma.etsy.com/
Little Butterbeans - http://www.littlebutterbeans.etsy.com/
Little Duckies - http://littleduckies.etsy.com/
Little Empress - http://www.littleempress.etsy.com/
Little Prairie Designs - http://littleprairiedesigns.etsy.com/
Lizzy Pops - http://lizzypops.etsy.com/
Loco Mo Momma - http://www.locomomomma.etsy.com/
Loopy 4 Ewe - http://loopy4ewe.etsy.com/
Love 2 Sparkle - http://www.love2sparkle.etsy.com/
Luca Bella Designs - http://www.lucabella0522.etsy.com/
LuLu & Peep Children's Shop - http://www.luluandpeep.etsy.com/
Madaline Jane - http://www.madalinejane.etsy.com/
Mami Girl Boutique - http://www.mamigirlboutique.etsy.com/
Mary Had A Little Party - http://maryhadalittleparty.etsy.com/

Meaghan-Marie Hair Pretties - http://MeaghanMariePretties.Etsy.com/
Michele's Jewelry Designs - http://micsjewelrydesigns.etsy.com/
MJD Boutique - http://mjdboutique.etsy.com/
Mom N Mia Quilts - http://momnmiaquilts.etsy.com/
Moochies Mama - http://www.moochiesmamma.etsy.com/
My Kangaroo - http://mykangaroo.etsy.com/
My Sugar Plum Baby - http://www.sugarplumbaby.etsy.com/
Nana McQuilts - http://www.nanamcquilts.etsy.com/
Ninkey - http://www.ninkey.etsy.com/
Odannysgirl - http://odannysgirl.etsy.com/
Olive & Ollie - http://www.oliveandollie.etsy.com/
On Cottage Way - http://www.oncottageway.etsy.com/
On The Sweeter Side - http://onthesweeterside.etsy.com/
Once Upon A Cloud - http://onceuponacloud.etsy.com/
Oscar and Theodore - http://www.oscarandtheodore.etsy.com/
Painted With Heart - http://www.paintedwithheart.etsy.com/
Petit Debutant - http://petitdebutant.etsy.com/
Petunias - http://www.petunias.etsy.com/
Pink Dixie - http://pinkdixie.etsy.com/
PJ Hill Co. Crochet - http://www.pjhillco.etsy.com/
Pretty Baby Boutique - http://prettybabyboutique.etsy.com/
Pumpkin Head Baby Co. - http://pumpkinheadbabyco.etsy.com/
Punky Fae Designs - http://www.punkyfaedesigns.etsy.com/
Punky Fae Designs - http://www.punkyfaedesigns.etsy.com/
QB Tots - http://www.qbtots.etsy.com/
Reilly Belle - http://reillybelle.etsy.com/
Retro 80's - http://www.retro80s.etsy.com/
Retro Family Works - http://msliesenfelder.etsy.com/
Ribbon and Ruffles Boutique - http://www.ribbonsandruffles.etsy.com/
Rosey Posey Bowtique -http://www.roseyposeybowtique.etsy.com/
Rozzis Sweet Peas - http://www.rozzissweetpeas.etsy.com/
Scandeez - http://www.scandeez.etsy.com/
Scissor Stitch -http://www.scissorstitch.etsy.com/
Seaside Quilts - http://seasidequilts.etsy.com/
SewSoNancy - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5198033
Sheeps Clothing - http://sheepsclothing.etsy.com/
Snap Dragon Design House - http://www.snapdragondesign.etsy.com/
SoBright Designs - http://www.sobrightdesigns.etsy.com/
Stella Bella Designs - http://www.stellabelladesigns.etsy.com/
Sunny Day Tags - http://sunnydaytags.etsy.com/
Sweet Beets - http://sweetbeets.etsy.com/
Sweet Pea Boutique - http://happygrandma402905.etsy.com/
The Bird & The Bean - http://www.birdandbean.etsy.com/
The Clever Kitty - http://thecleverkitty.etsy.com/
The Quilted Lion - http://thequiltedlion.etsy.com/
Thumbelina Boutique - http://thumbora.etsy.com/
Tiki Tales - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=41608
Trendy Tot - http://www.trendytot.etsy.com/
TuTu Cute & Moore - http://www.tutucuteandmoore.etsy.com/
Tweet Tweet Boutique - http://www.jabstweettweet.etsy.com/
Twinkle Star Art - http://twinklestarart.etsy.com/
Whimzee Baby Boutique - http://www.whimzeeebaby.etsy.com/
Wild Olive Kids - http://www.wildolivekids.etsy.com/
Zwei Baby - http://twinmommy.etsy.com/

*Sale/sale items vary per shop, please read individual shop announcements before purchasing*

A Bun In The Oven...

... Oh wait, it's just dowels full of ribbon ;) Yes indeed, I am baking ribbon to fashion some wonderful korkers tonight and tomorrow and they'll be all set for purchasing at Etsy Wednesday night!

I personally love korkers, they're my favorite. They look equally adorable on little girls with no hair as well as those with loads of it. LLP hardly has any hair as you can see. I put a teeny tiny pony tail in tree style on the top of her head with an ouchless clear elastic and then alligator clip a nice fluffy corker infront of it and it is adorableness personified!

I love to adhere fun buttons, felty balls, flowers, etc... in the middles because it just makes them more unique and wonderful. LLP was sporting a navy and baby blue super korker with one of those freakin' cute caboodles in the middle and it was to di(v)e for. Literally, one of the other little girls at LLPs play group tried to take her out to steal it... BLP has the same problem at preschool. I have to sew the korkers together super tight because if I don't they end up getting sabotaged when they're fighting over them! That's what BLP is taking for her Halloween treat at school. Korkers for the girls, and who knows what for the boys. (So yeah, if any of you have any great ideas for boys... LET ME KNOW!) I know we live in a what's good for girls is fine for boys too kind of world, and I see no problem in dolls/kitchens/etc... for little boys but I kind of feel hair clippies step over that line a little. Remember I said I had a hard time making mommy friends because I look meanish? Yeah... don't really need help in the deterring other people department...

I shall return, hopefully with some cute pictures of what's going on Etsy tonight/tomorrow. Then I have to make a colour co-ordinated bento for BLP for preschool tomorrow... Did I mention I also have to bake a grandparents day treat? Apparently they want me to issue food poisoning to the sweet dears if they're asking me bake something. I think I'll put that on Mr. Pretties things to do, he's actually an excellent baker/cook. I've already given him specific guidlines, they went like this:

*I want something that is better than everyone elses. I want everyone to see them and say 'Wow, LLP's mom is the best! She's practically Martha Stewart, but way younger and totally cuter!' It would also be really good if they actually wanted to be me... and maybe it could make all the other treats look crappy...*

Sounds easy enough, don't you think? Now I have to stress for the need to be understood, I would never want another mom to feel badly about something she brought. I've been there. So I was 110% kidding about that, I was just being me. In truth if someone actually said that I'd probably cry and then punch my self in the teeth for being such a knob. But you get the point, I want something totally good and impressive to take. If they think I'm a young/cute Martha, that's even better...

ETA: There will be no cute-irrific pictures tonight. My starch has failed me and made my corkers super crispy. *Alright, who ordered super crispy?!* They still look cute but they feel crunchy, like a bad 80's hair do. Not cool. These will not be for sale (Unless you have a crispy fetish, in which case email me). I will however make LLP wear one to her playdate tomorrow...

I Have A New Hero...

... And she lives at BeTasseled. My new favorite blog. Seriously. I am so giddy that I found this tutorial I feel like calling Mr. Pretties at work and requesting he come home immediately so I can go to the fabric store and purchase some most excellent fringe. I could so very easily develope a fab fringe fetish. Mmm... I'm kind of getting that rolling around in a pile of sweet, sweet fringe need again, you know, like with the ribbon pile... I'll resist though, because, again, I am not a cat. That doesn't mean I don't wish I were right now...

Anyways... now that my weirdness has reared it's bizarre little head again let's take a look, shall we? She makes these adorable tassels like this:

And like this:

And she was even sweet enough to make a tassel tutorial with step-by-step instructions on how to create your own tantilizing tassel! How great is that? Talk about sharing the wealth! How much do you love that?!

I lurve me some tassels, and that blog actually. I could eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a little tassel pie on the side! Yumilicious!

Now if you're not into the DIY scene Nester makes some amazing tassels too and sells them at her Etsy shop that you can reach via her blog. You have to move fast though, they're a hot commodity! She also has a great post today about all the many, many uses of a tassel to pretty a place up, so if you're not sure why you'd ever want a tassel, let alone need head on over and check it out!

I Digress...

Remember that big bag of 'I Told You So', it's friend the bag of 'You're Going To Regret This', and, let's not forget, the ever smaller but equally significant bag of 'You Suck'? Yes? Excellent.

Let me tell you a little story.

Once upon a time... there was a man named Mr. Pretties. Mr. Pretties tried so hard at everything he did, but no matter how hard he tried to make it work it always blew up in his face...It became a sort of joke between him and Mrs. Pretties... And....

I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO!!!

(This is not Mr. Pretties, but there will be one, not to worry)

I'm happy to annouce the Buick will be layed to rest this weekend. After unearthing yet another amazing animal immitation that would cost $400 to repair and make the Buick driveable yesterday, Mr. Pretties finally saw the light and he performed the ancient 'removing-of-the-plates' ceremony, followed by the ever important 'phoning-the-insurance-company-and-having-the-insurance-transferred-to-the-NEW-vehicle' ceremony. We cleaned out the trunk. We cleaned out the glove box. We brought out the sledge hamm... er... no we didn't. We were going to. Until I received an email lastnight letting me know that someone wanted to buy the Buick. For $500. I said no thanks. NOT. Someone wants to pay me to make take the Buick away? Giddy up!

I kid you not, I went ahead and posted the 'For Sale: Buick' ad on Kijiji just for shits and giggles. I posted it exactly as I did here, infact, I may have made it sound worse just to be totally upfront and honest that this car is crap, not to be confused with something that's not crap. When I received this email I could not type the words 'It's yours!' fast enough. Infact... now that I think about it, I may have actually type 'Tits hours'... rriigghhttt... let's hope not, and if I did, hypothetically, type that, let's hope he speaks the lingo and knows I meant he could have the car... MmmKay? It's new owner is supposed to come this weekend to haul it far, far away.

Now, let's just say this deal falls through (even though we all know nothing ever falls through on Kijiji...), then we will definitely be breaking out the hammer before we have it towed to go to the big parking lot in the sky.

Good God, I hope the Big Parking Lot in The Sky doesn't work anything like the Rainbow Bridge... I will be seriously unhappy if, when I die, after I finish collecting my personal Noah's Ark at the Rainbow Bridge, I then have to make a pit stop at the Parking Lot In The Sky to claim the Buick... Oh no, that is just too awful for consideration, let's just stop talking about that right now...

***Have I ever told you guys that I love comments? Perhaps I haven't been adament about this... I really, really love getting comments. It lets me know people are out there and are reading (Other than my ticker, but that could be one repeat reader...) and to keep blogging. If I feel like I'm entertaining someone I'll try harder to post more and be funnier ;) So. If you read the blog, send a comment and let me know!***

Happy Birthday 2nd Little Pretty...

... Two years ago today I gave birth to one of the sweetest babies you'll ever know. On September 15th, 2006 at 7:32 am the Little, Little Pretty was born. She weighed 7lbs 11oz and was 19" long. We didn't know that the LLP was to be a girl, she was one of those unco-operative babies you know, but were so stoked that the BLP was to have a sister.

Dear Little Little Pretty;

I can't believe you've been in our lives for two years already, where does the time go?! It seems like just yesterday I was carefully packing you into your car seat for your first trip home.

You're such a blessing to all of us, your sweet nature and sense of humour touch everyone who comes near you. Don't get me wrong though, you are a naughty, naughty little girl sometimes, your curiosity just gets the best of you. You climb better than a monkey and have less fear than a lion, this gives mommy and daddy (more so daddy...) grey hair and wrinkles. Not nice!

You're a very kind hearted and generous little girl. You're the first to share your toys, blanket (aka 'Mlankie), or snack and always ready to kiss someone else's 'boo-boo' better.


I'll always remember your bright and cheery little face complete with sparkling blue eyes and deep seeded dimples when I would come in to get you out of bed in the morning and you'd be standing there ready to greet me with 'Hiya Mama!'. As we all know, I am not a morning person, but this made early mornings so much more bearable.


This year you've discovered your love for bugs. I have had to pick more ants/spiders/potato bugs/flies out of your sticky little hands than I want to think about. Who knows how many of those you ate. Mmm. You've also met your companion and partner in crime, Short Bus. Short Bus worships the ground you walk on, even when you yell out the door for him to come in and refer to him as 'Dort Buth'. Short Bus has tried to be your fill in playmate while the BLP is at preschool. He'll sit with you to watch movies, sit on the coffee table to watch you colour (and steal your crayons), wait for you to throw him scraps from your lunch, and he's always there to push your head off your pillow at night. He's your buddy and you love him as much as he loves you.

This year you also became a big sister to The Little Boy Person. You're such a patient and loving big sister, always wanting to help your little brother. You call him 'E-sin' and always have a watchful eye on him. You're still not 100% sure about having him around, but that doesn't stop you from telling everyone about your 'budder'.

You're an excellent little talker and we're always amazed at the things you come up with and the level of understanding you show. We lost two of our cats this year and when Mommy was heartbroken about it you were the first one to come and sit with me on the bed, put your sweet little hands on the sides of my face, look into my eyes and say 'You sad Mommy?' I said 'Yes Turkey, Mommy's Sad. Thomas and Ralphie are gone now' and you said 'Ohhhhh, I see...' and gave me a hug and a kiss. This was no big surprise to me because this is just how you are.

I hope I always remember what it's like to hold your warm little body in my arms and rub my noise in your sweet smelling curls. I hope I always remember what it's like to feel your sticky little hands around my neck and the sound of your soft breathing in my ear when you fall asleep and I carry you to bed. Most of all I hope you always remember how much I love you.



I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living (and not) my baby you'll be.

Long Time No Post.. And We Have A Little Boy Person!

I haven't abandoned the blog, I simply had to go off and have the Little Boy Person :) Things have been just a little bit on the nutty side around here. The Little Pretties are acting out just a wee bit and sort of making me want to take The Little Boy Person and go back to the hospital where it was quiet and they brought me food ;) I'm pretty sure they wont take me back though... It sort of helps that Mr. Pretties is on holidays for the rest of the week to help but at the same time it's making it a little bit more chaotic having another person around. The Little Little Pretty is taking our new addition a little hard. She was the baby for two years, and now she's not. She's also a major Daddy's girl. She mostly ignores The Little Boy Person which is okay, I'd rather that then her be mean. But she's not mean spirited so this is how she rolls. The Big Little Pretty wants to be the mommy. Too much. Which means I have to hover constantly incase she decides to try and pick him up, feed him, take him for a walk, etc... because you just never know with her and I don't really want to find out.


Meaghan-Marie's is back open again and we'll be adding more stock in about a weeks time. We had major set backs last week due to a couple of packages getting lost in the mail and not turning up, after I remade them and paid to have them fast shipped. I'm totally annoyed by this. After remaking them and paying for quick shipping those sales had actually cost me $15 each and I still ended up with angry customers. I think insurance will now become mandatory as well as an acknowledgement that once a package leaves my hands I have no control over it. I ofcourse want everyone to be happy, but with three little ones I can only do so much to appease everyone. We tried to find a new courier, but I'm thinking no one wants to pay $8.00 to ship $3.00 worth of clippies! The prices are rediculous. So for now we'll be insuring everything because I wont have this happen again! Oy!


I got the cutest 'Caboodles' in the mail today for clippies, they are so adorable I just want to keep them and play with them! I think I'll only use three of them for clippies to list and use the other two for the Little Pretties, I think that's only fair. I also got my flat plate bobby pins in the mail so I can go about adhering my felty balls and listing those sweethearts too. Woohoo! I think I'll make myself a set of those too, that way when we're out in public and I look beyond disgusting because I don't have time to shower/brush hair/eat/sleep/etc... people will just notice my felty balls and ignore the rest. Then they will be so attracted to those little furry funs that they'll want them too no doubt! This is an excellent plan, no flaws at all. You'd think I'd have more time to put these plans into action while Mr. Pretties is around as a second set of hands, but, I don't. Some how he thinks things like laundry/cooking/dishes/etc... out rank crafting. I think he'd be a much happier person if he reassessed his priorities... just saying...

Also, for all those who had freebies coming their way, they are coming your way. I made the mistake of putting Mr. Pretties in charge of shipping this week while I was away... yeah... that should explain why the envi's were still sitting on my desk when I got home instead of in the post box. Dummy. I'm mailing them this afternoon when we take The Little Boy Person for his weight check. Expect them shortly, and accept my apologies for having faith in Mr. Pretties, that was bad judgement on my part and it wont happen again.

We Have Batteries! But No Pictures...

... Yeah I suck. But, I'll be back tomorrow to post some pictures :)



Mr. Pretties is now on holidays for two weeks while we wait for The Little Boy Person to make his appearance, so he's sort of infringing on my blogging time. I know, it really sucks. Alot. But I'll make a better effort starting tomorrow.


I made The Little Boy Person an upholstered wipes container Friday night. It's black and cream toile with black ribbon and a black 'E'. It's really not the best one I've ever made, but I was running out of time, fabric, ribbon, and patience. I'm really not as crafty when Mr. Pretties is home. He sort of saps my creativity and stuff. It is cute though. I have another container that I'm going to do and list on Etsy now that I have batteries for my 'list-a-thon'. Woohoo! I seriously (Yes, I) bought a pack of batteries at every store I've been to this weekend. That should covered me for, oh, about a week.


Remember my post about my sweetheart stray Ralphie? Well Ralphie came home with a mighty bunged up eye the other night. I couldn't get him a vet appointment until tomorrow. He. Looks. Rough. I'm about 97% sure he's going to lose the eye. Everytime I see it it just makes me want to cry (and throw up a little...). My poor boy. Poor Mr. Pretties wallet too because he's going to cost a fortune tomorrow. Some wonderful person on Craigslist suggested we drop him off at the SPCA and they'll surely fix him up and then put him up for adoption :) Uh huh. I worked for a veterinary clinic that worked with the SPCA and I know all to well about 'Kill Day' at the shelter every other week. The only new family my dear Ralphie would be meeting would be the frozen one in the basement freezer waiting for the cremator to pick them up. I'm glad there are folks out there though that still believe the SPCA is a magical place that fixes up all animals and helps them on their way. Surely they help some, but if you're looking to find a new home for a pet, that's pretty much not the way to go. The Toronto Humane Society is supposed to be really good though! So is Burlington Humane, they're 100% no-kill (I volunteered there and know this for a fact) and a really awesome group of people. So, hopefully tomorrow isn't too traumatic for Ralphie and I. If I go into labour Mr. Pretties has already received strict instructions that he is still to take care of this situation because when I get home I do not want to see his eye still looking like that. I will be very angry if it does. But I wont punish you all with the gruesome pictures.

This is a link to an 'inspirational' story about a stray cat named 'Ugly', but inspirational I mean if you have a shred of compassion for animals you will be a crying mess for days. Or, that could just be me. But this just reminds me of what would become of Ralphie if he wasn't with us and I just couldn't bare it. http://help.com/post/172844-ugly-a-story-i-will-always-try This story is like a canker sore to me, I know it hurts and it brings tears to my eyes but a few weeks later I stumble upon and read it again knowing full well what'll happen. I shall update on Ralphie's situation tomorrow, hopefully we'll have some good news. I'll still love him even with one eye, I'll just feel really bad for him because he had two perfect ones a week ago.

I think that's all that's going on for now... I'll be back tomorrow with some pictures, some updates, and with any luck something interesting to blog about!

Mr. Pretties Forgot To Obtain Batteries...

I make one request, please pick me up some camera-food so I can take some pictures for my list-a-thon I've scheduled for today. No problem. Hey Mr. Pretties, where for art my batteries? Ahh... still at the store... I see... I can see how they wouldn't be a priority. Oh wait, no I can't. Now, hypothetical situation, say The Little Boy Person had made his appearance this afternoon (By the way, don't count on him making his appearance anytime in the near, or not-so-near future, we're in it for the long haul now!) how many of his first moments would I have missed because of this error in judgement? Fortunate LBP is sitting tight or Mr. Pretties really could have been in for it. Honestly. Who forgets batteries that are written on the list in your hand, on the last day of the BOGO sale for batteries? I digress...

I read my own blog, everyday after I post in it. I have a horrible habit of things making sense in my head while I'm typing them, but when I go back and read it it makes zero sense at all or the words are all wrong or something. So if you read a post and end up shaking your head and thinking I must be into the Black Ice a little early, come back and read it again in an hour, it just may make more sense then ;) So because I have no pictures to share I would personally skip my own post today. Some how it's just not the same, but I can't just not post today... that wouldn't feel right either and we all know how I feel about 'right'. So maybe I'll dig out some links instead.

I got my new no-slip grips this morning, woohoo! They feel really great (Yeah, I took them out of their envi and rubbed them, very, very nice) and I bet they work marvelously. I'm going to test them out on the Little Pretties tonight and hopefully they're not only compareable to the old ones, but are much, much better. I like things that're better. Not only that, but the seller who sells them (How lazy am I, I had my no-slip grips cut for me... sue me, it takes forever to cut those suckers!) is super duper nice and she lives in Canada so shipping is speedy fast which I also love! Speaking of speedy shipping, or not, my flat plate bobby pins are still not here. I took my envi out of the mail this morning and couldn't figure out why the package was so bendy and non-bobby pin feeling. Then I discovered they weren't bobby pins. They better be here tomorrow, I'm getting annoyed. In addition, I just received an email from USPS that the premade corkers I ordered on the 16th were shipped. Yesterday. Yeah... so they sat around for two weeks before even hitting the mail for another two. I'm not really happy about that. At all. That almost deserves negative feedback. Not only did they not ship until yesterday, but the seller did not take the time to see my name in the payment info and instead took the last name from my PayPal info (Mr. Pretties) and Meaghan from the shop's name. Wait, I believe it was Meghan (not spelled right) at that. So, if this package should for some reason end up at the post office I wont be able to pick it up. I am not Meghan ******, and with the spelling that person does not even exist. In all my time buying on Etsy (I have another 'buyers' account not related to Meaghan-Marie) I have never encountered this problem. I hate leaving negative things, especially since she made an effort to ship it to Canada (Although it did take her a week to make a listing reflecting this... and it's totally not that hard to do, like it would take 30 seconds) but I'm just annoyed. I treat my $3 sales as well as my $30 sales and others should too. Not saying I'm the perfect seller or anything like that, in the past two weeks I've had my fair share of postal issues and supply issues that've needed some patching up but I'm hoping that's something we'll avoid with time. So, we wont be seeing fun corkers in the shop anytime soon. Sorry about that. Really sorry be cause that means I'll have to make them now, and that requires using the oven and heating my house far warmer than I like.

While I was opening my envi from the slip-grip lady I found she had this really adorable 'mini card' tucked in there with her logo, name, tagline, and email. Sounds pretty boring, but it is so sweet! It's really high quality and something I'll totally hang onto because it's so cute and fun, way cooler than a business card! She even gave me the website she bought them on. It's www.Moo.Com they've got some great designs premade or you can upload your own (Or not, as i my case where my files are not working correctly...). I think I'll have a super cute logo created and then have some printed up. These put business cards to shame, these are just so perfect, and tiny and kind of feel like a little present even though they're clearly an advertisement. Moo even lets you print several different prints in one order, and the prices are pretty reasonable. 100 mini cards for $20 + shipping. Not bad! I love ordering from Etsy just to see what neat things sellers tuck into their packages, and I never cease to be amazed! Must be that over flowing creativity they (not me) possess.

I did felt some balls lastnight, but only four. I'm going to try to make some more tonight. I think not having the pins to put them on, combined with the fact that they aren't big sellers on Etsy has kind of dampened my motivation. Not that I couldn't sell them as felt beads too. I just don't want to make all these fuzzy cuties and then have them sitting around the house feeling all bad because no one wants them. Then I'll either have to package them for the mom sales or use them, and I'm more likely to use them because I feel bad for them. Poor babies. Maybe they're happier as roving? They actually look really sweet sitting in little glass containers in the kitchen too, so I could use them as decor too ;) I'll think of something.

I'm going to go do something blog worthy now, and then come back and blog about it when my camera is working. I really dislike this camera. Alot.

It's Wednesday and I Have No Pictures To Share...

Today was another excellent mail day :) Remember that really cute picture of different coloured roving with the bunny? That arrived this morning. As did my Ikea catalog. No bills accompanied either. These things all together make me very happy! I was really hoping the roving would arrive with the flat plate bobby pins I ordered on the same day though... that would have put me right off the chart of happiness because I could have started making and listing my felt ball pins today. Technically I could felt the balls today and then adhere them tomorrow, but it's just not the same. It's probably better actually, since the felty balls need atleast 24 hours to dry... genius, glad I thought of it! This afternoon along with boiling bottles, washing my bedding, and complaining about my back which feels like it may be dislocated, I will felt some rainbow balls. I'd love to promise pictures will follow but I'm out of food for the camera (Read: Batteries) until tomorrow when Mr. Pretties goes out to obtain some for me.

This has been a super slow Etsy week and I can't say I'm sorry for it. I've got orders done, I've ordered new supplies, I have one more order to do, and I've got a fat stack of mail to take out in the morning, and I'm done. Hopefully until after The Little Boy Person gets here. That's a funny think to wish, eh? 'Gee I hope I don't make any sales this week!' I'd obviously be stoked if I did, but for right now I'm just going to list things I've got made already and take no customs because I can't promise they'll be out in a timely fashion for atleast the next few weeks. Clippies that I just need to package I can promise will be out and on time. I also have three sets of freebies to send out and once I get 15 replies to my Facebook group I'll have to send out another 30. If I don't hear back from more than, say, two people I'm not sending any out, it really defeats the purpose. I also have to start stocking up for the fall Mom2Mom sales I attend as well as for Little Sprouts Turnabouts. I'm still patiently waiting for my clip cards too... I'm also regretting getting them in pink and brown. I know, I can't believe I just said that either. But it occurred to me during my 3am bathroom break that when I make my clip cards I use cardstock and paper that match or accent the clips and makes them look purdy. Pink and brown is no going to accent, or match most colour combos I sell. This could make them look ugly, and then I wont use them and I'll be back to making my own. Damn it. Well, we'll give it a try, but I can really see myself purchasing new solid coloured cards in a light, light green and light, light pink which are Meaghan-Marie's other colours and tend to match most of what's going on.

I've added a 'vintage' section to Etsy as well. I'm going to see how it goes but I'll probably end up opening a shop especially for fun housy stuff and vintage items. Some how they don't seem to 'flow' with little girl pretties... But I've got so many vintage goodies that could really use some loving elsewhere that it only seems to be the humane thing to do. I may keep some of my housy funs on MMPretties, but only ones that can be used in a baby nursery, or kiddie room. Don't really need a big 'beard' garland in grown up colours cluttering up the rainbow of hair clippies. Just doesn't make sense or look all that cute. I'd love to list my vintage haves today, but again, need to get me some batteries. Or find one of the Little Pretties toys that doesn't need them... Hmm... that's a good idea too, although it may not be profitable because I try to limit the amount of annoying noisy things that require batteries coming into the house... Crap, I actually don't think there is anything that already has batteries that work. Well, tomorrow and Friday we'll be having a list-a-thon, even if I have to take the pictures from my hospital bed ;) That should be fun!

Mr. Pretties promised that if I hadn't had The Little Boy Person by tomorrow I could go to the cheap-o nail place (Not the love-me-some-pink-and-brown spa from my birthday events) and have them remove and reapply my nail polish. I was very excited about this prospect as my toes now look like someone took extra special care to only paint the top halves of them. They aren't chipped or anything, just super grown out. And I spilled white paint on two of them when I was painting my mantel thingies white. I can't get it off. But it appears that Mr. Pretties has now decided he's going on a grocery shopping spree instead. Like we need groceries! Apparently he doesn't understand that I'm on a time line here... he can still go grocery shopping after The Little Boy Person gets here, I on the other hand could go to the toe place, but wont because the amount of complaining and whining I would receive from Mr. Pretties when I got home would undo any good the toe painting would have done for me. Plus, it would pretty well defeat the purpose, I need nice toes so the nice nurses at the hospital have something interesting to look at during delivery ;) I'm sure they've seen more hoo-haws than they'd like to discuss, but how many fun toe nail paintings have they seen? Probably not nearly as many! I was planning on having fun flowers painted on them and everything just for added effect. I think I'll have to rediscuss this situation with Mr. Pretties this evening. He must've over looked these important details when he thought he needed to grocery shop.

PS. If anyone out there loves me, I could really use the Creative Homes magazine, as well as that one that's about prettying flea market finds, and things of that nature. They'd be fab for easy hospital reads, but, I'm not about to spend $7 on a 1.5mm magazine. Sorry. I'm stingy like that... so if anyone has them laying around just let me know. Unless you're in the US or the likes, then don't let me know because it'll make me cry that you have them and I can't come get them. Thanks. I remember when magazines were $3.50 and that was expensive. $7, that's just ridiculous!

Off to felt some balls and find a chiropractor (or hot bathtub) to do something about this back situation.

I Think We Passed Family Time 101...

Well we gave that whole 'family thing' a try again today when Mr. Pretties woke up from night shift. I think we actually passed as an average family enjoying eachother's company this time! That's progress people! We took The Pretties to Port Dover:

It was super packed because of summer holidays and parking was brutal (The only time ever I've considered paying $10 to park anywhere) but eventually we made it to the beach. The water was nice, albeit quite sea weedy and gross... We escaped with only two complete melt downs courtesy of The Big Little Pretty. It was the perfect day to go, there could not be a more perfect day ever. I wish we could have stayed all day/evening. We may actually go back tomorrow... no doubt it wont work out as well as today did. Who knows, maybe we'll meet The Little Boy Person tonight instead. Or not.

I hit the hay at 4am this morning. I think I have a problem... fortunately I didn't attempt anything too creative so I have no barf-esque items to share with you today (Big sigh of relief). I did finish 28 clippies, 12 clip cards, and 3 envelopes. I also decided it would be smart to put my glue gun down on my bare leg. I believe it was at this point I decided I needed to go to bed for my own safety. I got to take all that pretty mail to the post office this morning and impress the mail clerk again ;) She was so thrilled with my envis last time that when one of them has still yet to show up over a week later, I'm thinking I know where it went... I hate the postal service. Unless it's bringing me something I ordered, then it's okay.

A really nice person suggested I start a Facebook group for Meaghan-Marie. I hadn't thought of that... so for anyone interested the new group is called Meaghan-Marie Pretties in the search thing. Anyone can join. I think I'll be posting clippie parties on it as soon as we move. I've had quite a few requests for one of these, I simply don't have the room right now. What will happen is I'll have both a rear-end load of clippies already made, ready to take. As well as a promo book with clippies that can be available, and custom order forms. We'll have decadent snacks, drinks, and pick out clippies. I may incorporate some other items at this time too... we'll see how it goes after the move. I usually not a 'selling party' type of person, but it might be fun and there's been a demand. I'll list events like that in this group. It's also got current pictures of what's available in Etsy, just incase typing http://www.meaghanmariepretties.etsy.com/ is too much work ;) I know how that can be. Even though you should have it book marked... Kidding. Sort of.

Have you guys been over to Nester's Nesting Place Blog? I think you should. I love this blog. I've linked it before too, but I think I need to do it again. I love the ideas she has for super cheap/simple/great looking home decor. Honestly, it should be illegal for one person to have all these great ideas, it doesn't leave much for the rest of us (Read: Me). Her blog is down the side or if you don't feel like scrolling down it's http://www.nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/ and she's got a really great Etsy shop at http://www.nestingplace.etsy.com/ check out how adorable those ragamuffin garlands are! She's totally into using her ideas so I have two pink/white/cream ones in The Little Pretty's bedroom made of their old baby blankets, clothes, etc... and a black/white/toile/scarlet one in my kitchen from a kit I actually bought from The Nester. I really love them, they're just so cute and foofy and great. There's like a million and one uses for one! Mine aren't nearly as nice as the Nester's but this is the one in my kitchen (I'd planned to have pics from the Pretties room but my camera ate three sets of batteries to get one picture... Yeah it's crap)

I really love it. I could be bigger. Way bigger. But it's the right size to hang on that little shelf in the kitchen. No that's not a string going across the top of the shelf rungs, it's a dried up rose that looks a lot more appealing in person ;)

Cupcakes, Roving, and Sales - Oh My!

We should all be so proud. My cupcakes arrived as I said, and I made them into clips ;) Only two though. We'll see how they go on Etsy because I spruce up the other two. I think they're cute... but I'm not buying them so my opinion is neither here nor there. While I was in create mode at 3am this morning (Mr. Pretties is working nights and I cannot make myself go to bed at night, it's becoming a problem) I thought I'd try to felt an alligator clip. Why you ask? Who knows. It was one of those random thoughts like 'Hey... if I felted this here alligator clip I bet it'd look all cute and felty like! We could pretend it's 'earthy''. So I break out the hot water and dish soap and I try to cover this thing in moss green roving. Do you know what it looked like when it was 'done' (Read: When I was tired of trying to make it look cute and earthy)? This: No. That is not a hair ball regurgitated by Wilma (aka 'The Boss'). She's too good for things like that, didn't you know? No, it's actually a funky/earthy hair clip, can't you tell?! Yeah, just looking at the picture is making me feel a little nauseous. Both because it's a really bad picture (Have you come to the conclusion my camera sucks yet?!) and because it's super ugly. It does however smell like lavender dish soap... possibly the only thing going for it at this point. Note to self: No more 'creative' thinking past, say, 1am. The results are not pretty. I sort of feel bad for it, and kind of responsible for it's grotesque appearance so I can't seem to throw it away...



I have this old window/mirror frame (Not really sure... if anyone knows drop me a line)

and again, if anyone knows how to fix this sideways picture issue, other than expecting me to remember not take pictures this way, let me know. So, I have this old mirror/window frame. It had no glass or mirror. It's only about 2'x2.5' and was $5.00 at a flea market a few months ago. I had no use for it and nowhere to hang it, but I just couldn't leave it behind. It's been moved around my house numerous times since then, never finding a spot that felt 'right', several places that felt 'mildly acceptable until further notice' but just not 'right'. 'Right' is important.




I was discussing this piece on the Etsy chat lastnight and there's a shop owner there who sells really cute vintage/antique stuff like this at http://www.mountainvintage.etsy.com/ :

Honestly, how cute is that?! I could marry it! Anywho... she had this great idea to use it has a bulletin board! Did you hear that?! What a great idea, why didn't I think of it?! It'll be so easy too and very unspendy. I just need some cardboard, foam/batting, staples, some black satin ribbon, and some black and cream toile. It will be stunning and then it will go in my kitchen and serve a purpose. I haven't done it yet, I need to obtain myself some black and cream toile first, but I just know it will look 'right' and I'll be able to sigh a sigh of relief. I really hate it when I have cute things that don't seem to work anywhere. I tried to explain this bulletin board concept to Mr. Pretties. You can pretty much imagine how that went. Something to this effect. I love it because you can really feel the love.

Me: 'A girl on Etsy gave me this fantastic idea about what to do with that old frame on the mantel'

Mr. Pretties: 'Throw it out?'

Me: 'Uh... No. Don't be rude. She said I should make it into a bulletin board! I could cover it with black and cream toile!'

Mr. Pretties: 'What's toile?'

Me: 'It's fabric don't worry about it. but-'

Mr. Pretties: '- I don't have time to go to the fabric store today! I have to sleep you know, I have to work tonight!'

Me: 'Did I say we were going to the fabric store today?! At what point did I say that?! And you have to work? Do you know how much work Etsy is?! Do you!? Pshh... never mind, when you wonder why I stop telling you things this is why!'

Mr. Pretties: 'You're going to stop telling me? Why didn't I think of this before! I'm a genius!'

Uh huh. Whatever, that's what I was thinking. As I said, it's all about the love. Some how Mr. Pretties has a brain wire malfunction that we're working on that makes him think when I say something it means we need to be doing it immediately this second or the world will come to an end. It's a little bit annoyingish. But we're working on it. But, my bulletin board will be fabbity fab, I can tell because I can see it in my head ;)

I added more new clips to Etsy lastnight and this morning and out of that came 15 sales! FIFTEEN. I'm so glad it's for clippies I already had made and just have to make the packaging and cards (Have I told you I really wish my clip cards were here already?!) tonight and send them out in the morning which is awesome! I'm so glad customers liked my new clips as much as I did. I have to say I'm a little bit sad about the pink and brown scrapbook series going. I sort of had a personal attachment to them. I'm sure their new owner will love them as much as I did. She bought all of my pink and brown clips in fact, atleast I know she appreciates the whole pink and brown thing as much as I do :) That's sort of important. I personally like these new shiny ones:

I still have to make clippies tonight, I was wrong. I bought a whole whack of new stuff to incorporate into some OOAK clippies. I tried to get some really fun pictures but my camera is having major attitude and didn't want to. That's okay, it'll look cuter when I'm done. As a preview I have tiny pink glass tiles with initials (think monogrammed clippies), silver tiles with initials that look really fancy, bees, flowers, blue rhinestones, and some new ribbon. I have a vision for the pink tiles (Both for a furniture project as well as a clippie!) and I'm anxious to get on it. That wont be happening until Mr. Pretties is off to work and The Little Pretties are off to bed. So, let's say sometime tomorrow. Or never. I'll work something out. I'll try to stop crafting before 1am though. No one should have to suffer like that again...

Who Needs More Old Furniture?

Certainly not me. But, since when does need matter? I scored some pretty great old stuff this weekend, but we'll get to that in a little while.

I want to share a couple shops I came across today that I thought were really nice. This first one http://www.tannerglass.etsy.com/ really cheered me up this morning! I wasn't my normal cheery-silly self while I was lurking the Etsy forums and came across this shop. There's something about these vases that just make me want to smile. They're just so sweet and cheery, I can picture them sitting on my window sill in my kitchen making me smile all day long. Well, not all day long... despite popular belief I do not spend all day eating. I know that idea may not be easy to dispel after letting you all know that I split my pants. Trust me though, it's really only like 3/4 of my day.... Suzanne also makes the cutest blown glass Christmas/window ornaments, you know, the ones that look like witch balls (Not to be confused with felty balls, totally different feeling) or friendship balls, or whatever. They're just so pretty and whimsical and give you that cutey-sweet feeling all over. Love them. I will show Mr. Pretties her shop at Christmas time and let him know he can pick anything from there. He will then pick something entirely different from an entirely different shop (non-Etsy at that) that I've never in my life expressed an interest in. Men.

Another shop that made me smile today was http://www.signsbydiane.etsy.com/ Her stuff is so shabby chic, it's just exactly my style. If I had my way I'd have one of these signs in every space in my house. Okay, we all know I have no spaces in my house. But I would make one. I love things like this. I don't know what my attraction is to things that look old and worn, but they just feel 'right' and cozy. I could look at something like this everyday and never get tired of it. I think I get tired of new shiny things way too easy because they have no charm, no story, nothing. They came off a conveyor belt in China and sat on a shelf. That doesn't really sound like something that deserves a lot of attention or appreciation to me. I think you need to at least sit around for 80-100 years, get all cruddy looking, peel a bit, fall apart a bit, and then can you be appreciated. If you can't manage that, then at least pretend and go for the 'shabby' look. I can handle that.

So as I was saying. Remember that garage sale the land people were having at that ungodly hour? The one I was cursing? Yeah. Well it didn't really go so good. It went so poorly in fact that they were so fed up of carting this same stuff back and forth to the antique market that they were either chucking, or donating a lot of this stuff. Have I mentioned I like donations? I really do. Alot. So this sweet little baby has parked herself in my dining room now (I'm an idiot, if anyone knows how I can flip these pictures without photoshop or anything, please, do us all a favor and let me know). It's really beautiful and much shabbier in person. I even need to epoxy the drawer pulls because they're striped. Love it. The mirror is all nice and filmy from being old like. Who needs to see themselves?! It's actually not quite that bad. She's such a beauty... not to mention a free beauty. That makes me love her so much more. Not to mention I loved her last year at the antique market and almost bought her for $60 then which was a great deal. But I didn't. Thankfully no one else did either ;) Mr. Pretties brought her in from the rain on Saturday (Garage sale got rained on) and I just stood in the kitchen and stared in appreciation. Both of the fact that she's such a beaut, as well as the fact that I got her for free. What a great feeling!

Saturday we were supposed to be on a mission to obtain another window shaker. We got two blocks away and spotted a street sale. We pretty much stopped garage saling when we got the Buick (No, not a nice Buick. An 11 year old Buick Park Ave that's like a really big luxury thorn in my side). For some reason the Buick makers (Yes, I said Buick makers because I'm not looking up who makes them, you can though) are under the impression that persons who drive Buicks do not 'do' garage sales. Or flea markets. Or antique shows. It does however have a very nice peek-through hole thing in the back seat that would be splendid for, say, skis, or golf clubs... apparently we are not well matched with our vehicle. But, to get back on track here, we went to this street sale. As soon as we turned the corner I saw this: complete with this:

This cute pair had no price tag to be found. I do not ask prices at garage sales, it's part of my person-phobia or something. I just assume it's too expensive and move on. Mr. Pretties was feeling generous and said he'd go ask for me. Sweet. The man told him they got it from his wife's grandfather and that it was... $25. With the chair. Are you kidding me?! You had me at 'my wife's grandfather' but for a mere $25?! Clearly we need this. I especially love that it's that great pukey green colour! We of course, being the knobs we are, had no cash on hand. For some reason garage sale people don't accept debit. So we made out way up the way too crowded street to the bank where I probably walked as fast as I have in the past three months. I got my monies and we sped back to the sale. I see the man putting a sticker on it. Crap. It's sold. I was just going to walk away and assume it had been sold. I'm ambitious like that. Mr. Pretties insisted I go check. Totally not sold! Just a price tag! But there is a woman admiring it and waving over the man. Oh no. She's concerned that it appears that this piece should have a mirror on the back and doesn't... she'd give him $10 for the damaged goods with the chair since he's clearly going to have to haul it to the dump otherwise. Who is this woman?! Obviously she has no taste at all. So I pipe up with 'I have the $25, I'll take my set right now!' to which the man was very happy about and the woman gave me dirty looks. Sucks to be her. She only wishes she has this extra piece of furniture taking up valuable space in her house! My 'swank' tv stand is going to Aunt Pretty's this month so I'm going to use it as a tv stand. It'll be cute and it'll match the rest of the decor that Mr. Pretties hates so much. Love it.

I also got this really pretty satiny pale blue fabric from the land people. It's at least vintage, if not nearing antique (ignore Little Pretty's feet, they're neither vintage nor antique, although they are pretty cute). I'm not entirely sure what I will do with it. There's a fair bit there, like, five or six yards. Sweet. I think I might make some fancy pillow case dresses. Hmm... something about fancy and pillow case dresses in the same thought doesn't go well... They'd be super cute though, and I'd have to line them. I do not like lining. I'd also have to use my sewing machine because of this... on second thought I might rip it up and make some blue and brown ragamuffin flip flops instead, those would be cute. Did I mention this fabric was also free? Yup, I cleaned house this weekend. I feel so proud! I also feel so cramped since I have three large pieces of furniture dominating a very small room that already is housing a fireplace, a small wardrobe, and an arm chair. Notice this is my dining room and I have yet to mention a table or chairs. They're currently hanging in the basement. I have no room in my dining room for dining apparel currently... I can't figure out why... I wish Mr. Pretties would stop insisting we allow all these pieces of antiquated art live with us... he's such a soft heart!

I got my cupcakes today!!! Yay!!! I like that kind of mail (You know, the kind that doesn't come with the opening line 'you have a balance owing...'). I also completed three new sets of clips that I'm pretty partial too. The pictures are really bad. My camera was running out of batteries and simply did a half-rear-ended job. Then died before I could do the third set. Or get pictures of them in actual hair. I listed them anyway, I'll change the pictures later. They're actually pretty in real life.

They're both pink grosgrain on a wide chocolate brown satin ribbon. The one on the left says 'Cherish' on a shiny silver plate with clear rhinestones and the one of the right says 'Princess' on a silver metal heart with a pink rhinestone. Can't wait to get better pictures because they look really garbagy here while they're actually so cute. They're part of my 'scrapbooking' theme. I have a nice purple set too that's neat, but we'll have to wait for them. Wow. I can't believe how horrible these pictures are. They didn't look this bad when I uploaded them to Etsy. Maybe they did and I was in denial. Stupid batteries!

I didn't make cupcake clips today like I intended. It was crafting time (aka nap time) when Mr. Pretties showed back up at home... an hour after he left for work. What the?! He was supposed to work nights this week (God help us all) but switched for afternoons because he does not do nights. Plus with being in the two week wait of birthing the Little Boy Person I don't like being home alone at night (I have middle of the night babies) and the thought of bringing a newborn home while trying to keep two toddlers quiet so Mr. Pretties can sleep is even less appealing than ripping out my own toe nails. Plus, Mr. Pretties isn't so... pretty? when he works nights. In fact it's been discussed that he should remain in a hotel for the entire week since he makes the rest of us horribly miserable. So. He had switched so we could avoid this whole issue. He went to work for 2pm. Work changed the schedule and 'forgot' to inform Mr. Pretties and he is in fact on nights. Oh.My.God. So he's trying to get a few hours sleep before heading into work for the night. The Little Boy Person has been strictly informed that he absolutely cannot make his debue this week at. all. I hope he doesn't take it personally. It just wouldn't work. Mr. Pretties hasn't worked nights in over a year. We are not used to this and it has not been pleasant so far. The pretties do not understand the concept of 'quiet'.