Tita

Belli (5) and Tita (70)

Tita (43) Anna (8)

Back when I was growing up, we did not have much so whatever we had was used for necessities, and taking pictures was not a necessity. We did not have a camera, nor did we know someone with a camera, so I have very few pictures of myself growing up -about 5- This picture of my mother and I was taken at a school function when I was in 3rd grade March 1983. When my older sister saw the picture of Belli with my mom -better known as Tita- she immediately remembered the picture my mom had sent her almost 27 years ago, I had never seen this photo, but I remember taking it and not being too happy about it because of bystanders, now I think is priceless so I made copies and gave one to all my sisters!

Jaylen's Zebra Party

After deciding to put all my sewing and crafting projects on hold -can't wait for my storage/craft room to be ready- I seem to find myself going crazy because of nothing to do...so when Diana came to me for help on her daughter Jaylen's birthday party I immediately said YES. Jaylen has had a party every birthday so she has gone tru a lot of themes already, so when she decided on the zebra theme -so popular right now, even for older girls-I was thrilled, it's one of my favorites too...


she insisted on a picture invitation

the birthday banner was a combination of patterns in pink & black, polka dot and zebra print

Pin the tail on the zebra -hand painted-

these flower pots were used as centerpieces -2 per table-

these were added to the flower pots...marshmallows covered with melted chocolate and sprinkles

mini cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and toppers for the kids

An alternative to cupcake stands which will cost you at least $15 and look too simple, I created this stand with 2 cereal boxes, wrapping paper, and a ribbon spool. Look for the tutorial next week!

for the goodie bag I used the small paper bags and added a scalloped label

Unfortunatelly I did not get pics at the party, but the tables looked so pretty in pink tablecloths with a zebra print runner. The cake did not have the zebra print but was a beautiful black and white polka dotted with a hot pink bow, amazing.

snow day

Although the snow that fell was only about 1", It looked so beautiful, just like in the postcards.

our backyard was completely covered in white

the back patio

the big tree behind my kitchen window was covered with white flakes

the swings were "out of service"

Although it looks beautiful one day is enough for me, I really hope the sun peeks out tomorrow : )

Belli got the best part of the day since she gets out of school at 11:00, and Gus got out early, they had a good time...

Michael and Gabby got out of school 2:30 just to find a few flakes but they made the best of it...they played with "brownie" at Tita's house.

Michael at Tita's house

Gabby at Tita's house

at Tita's house

bow holder

A couple of months ago I had made Belli a tutu bow holder, it looked so pretty I almost didn't want to clip any bows on it...then I got over it and started clipping away.

it was sooo overloaded, it didn't look like a tutu anymore : (

so I knew it was time for a second bow holder for Belli...

it coordinates perfectly with her bedding

I added paper flowers, rinestones, ribbon and her initial to complete the look.

just as I finished putting all the hairbows on, I realized that I am going to need another one pretty soon...

getting crafty

This weekend we were lazy, we watched movies -one after another, after another...-since I had nothing to do, no orders pending, no costumes or outfits to sew, I pulled out a project I've been wanting to do for some time now. A rag doll, I had this pattern and thought I'd give it a try, but when the kids saw me they suddenly wanted to do one too, so I decided they could first try to decorate a paper doll first. This is basic doll template I downloaded for free at http://kiddley.com/2006/dress-up-paper-doll-and-ornament/ (click on the first "download now" button for the full size doll and click on the second "download now" button for the ornmaent size doll) you can either make it a boy or girl- and you just use scraps of fabric, paper or whatever you can find and let them get creative. I did have to help Belli cutting but she decided what she wanted and where.
This is Belli's -pink, and pink and more pink!

Gabby's is more sophisticated

and Michael's, I love it when he gets creative, it brings out a totally different side of him...

Once they got busy with their project so did I, it took me about 1 hr and 20 minutes from cutting the pattern from paper to putting on her tutu. I loved the finished product, I'm so glad I finally got to it.

I realized the mouth could've been a bit more pronounced, oh well! maybe the next one will have red lips...

perhaps this will be a good christmas present for all the little ones in the family...that means I'll have to make about 10 of them!

a model with an attitude

Well, after strapping my camera's battery lid with masking tape and bribing Belli with a happy meal (talk about cheap labor) I finally got to photographing some of the Christmas items. I didn't get as many good pics as I wanted -the camera kept shutting down and Belli kept whining- so I guess is time to get myself a mannequin and a new camera!

This one was my favorite one!

All smiles :0)

still smiling...too much -that's why this pic did not make it-

she had stopped smiling by now

this was the last picture and it is obvious why...

I did not get all the pics I needed, after about 10 minutes and 15 pics Belli said "ok, I think that is all for today, I don't feel like posing anymore" as to what I thought -Okay, no one likes a picture of a grouchy model-

The listings are now in my shop, check them out http://www.bellygusher.etsy.com/

Gabby's necklace

I offered Gabby a charm necklace -personalized painted tile with rinestones, colorful beads and coordinating ribbon- I really liked it for her, but she wrinkled her nose and said:

that's too much!

she opted for a more simple initial necklace...so Gabby

restocking for the Holidays...

Here is a sneak peek of what I've been working on, These will be listed on my etsy store www.bellygusher.etsy.com next week, we had hoped to have them up sooner but my model was being uncooperative and my camera broke down :(

hair clips

hairbows

hairbows

these half aprons will compliment any outfit as simple as t'shirts and jeans, perfect for baking cookies for Santa. will be listed on my etsy store next week - http://www.bellygusher.etsy.com/ -

Mario and Luigi

I had a lot of fun creating these costume characters for Allen(6) & Kris(4)

I had a couple of set backs w/Luigi because I had to paint the white cap green and dye the LS top, but they turned out great. I know they had them at the store but the decent looking ones were $35 and the cheaper kind (foam) were $20, so after spending $33.00 on supplies -for both- you end up with a good quality for a very reasonable price, and the kids loved them, they kept saying "thank you Anna" all tru the halloween party...there is no better payment than that : )