Stylish Baby!

I'm always telling my sister, that she should have a baby. I know, I'm a bad influence! But she's been married nearly 2 years. And I know that she would be such a GREAT mom!

Lizzie likes to come and visit us, as often as she can. We live a couple of hours from each other, and she works full time. So it can get a little complicated sometimes. Being that she is usually off at the beginning of the week. And Lauren goes to school M-F.

But when T-Li, that's what my kiddos call her, comes over, it's always loads of fun! My sister is known to crawl into Lauren's playhouse, for hours of play. T-Li likes to dress up in a tutu and high heels, to pick up Lauren from dance practice. Heck, my sister runs through the sprinklers with the kids, 5 minutes before we leave for church! :)

I told you, she's fun. One of the things my girls like the most, is playing "dress up" with T-Li. She ALWAYS brings my kids new, and very stylish clothes. Fashion is very important to my little sis. I tell her, she need a baby, to dress up too!



This hat just reminds me of my sister. I can just imagine it. If Lizzie were to have a little boy, she'd dress him up in little button up shirts, and the hippest hats. Probably with little loafers. Forget it, if she had a little girl!

But I guess I'm just dreaming now. I'd LOVE it, if my little sister would have a baby. But I know that's not in her immediate plans. That's OK. But I'm pretty sure, I'm going to make this hat. And save it. Maybe a little "lovebird" will come sooner than later! :)

~Manders

Little Chaps

My nephew is nearly 6 months old. I can't believe it! Where has the time gone? I wish that we could see him more often. But with Lauren in school, well we just don't get to Texas as much as we'd like.

But our little buddy is getting big. And scooting around. If you haven't noticed by now...my hubby is a cowboy. A genuine cowboy! He used to be a bull rider. No lie! Thank goodness he was ending that chapter of his life, when we met. But it's an important part of our life.

With that being said, Lauren has been "Mutton Busting" for a few years. Robbie, loves to chase animals around the yard. Abby is the only one, that is happy, to just look at the animals. But we still love to dress up our kiddos. They have many pairs of Wranglers...and boots!

I got to thinking. I want to make my nephew something. Something that is "western" inspired. Cute. And that is useful. Remember I told you that he's nearly 6 months old? He's getting mobile now. So this pattern...well it just made me smile!



A pair of chaps! Perfection! My brother-in-law is totally a cowboy. Wears chaps every day. I think these would be incredible for our nephew. :) Perfect to put over his little jeans, as he crawls around the porch.

Another thing, I think you should check out Cobbler's Cabin. It's a great blog! Full of A-M-A-Z-I-N-G patterns. That I want to try out. Especially this sweater. I think it would look nice in navy. Just go see this wonderful blog. You won't regret it!

~Manders

Adorable Dolls

Do you remember last week, when I blogged about this hat? Super cute! Well, I decided to explore Think Crafty Thoughts some more. :) It's such a fun blog! And has so many great patterns. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who crochets. :)

I decided to sit down the other night, and really go through all the patterns. That's when I found this great pattern. For these dolls. They remind me of "Nesting Dolls." Lauren has a set of "Nesting Dolls," that my mom made her. They're wooden, and my mom painted them. They were the best present, for my then 2 year old daughter. :) She still plays with them. Almost 3 years later!

So this pattern, really got my attention. Lauren just loves those dolls! And I wish that I had found this pattern a few weeks ago. I would have LOVED to have made these for Lauren's birthday. But that is just a week away!



But I couldn't get these dolls out of my head. Does that ever happen to you? I visited this post, at least 10 times. Then I decided to print it out. I'm 99% positive, that I have all the supplies. And if I start them today, I might have them done, by Easter. I think this would be an adorable addition to her Easter Basket!

Now to just find some time. Being a mommy of 3, time is always a precious commodity. Especially, when you are trying to create some "surprises." But I'm hopeful. And I really do think, I can get all these things done, before the big days ahead!

~Manders

Fast Food...

I've blogged many times, about Lauren's Little Pink Playhouse. To date, it's the best money, that Billy and I, have ever spent on a toy. No lie!

Anytime that Lauren has some money, she wants to buy something for her playhouse. When anyone asks Lauren, what she wants for Christmas, or her birthday, she asks for something for her playhouse. Lucky us, T-Lo always sends something fun!

I can't lie. The other night, I couldn't sleep. So I logged on to our computer, and started "Blog Hopping." :) Not only did I find a fun, and new blog...I found this fun pattern!



In our house, we make pancakes once a week. And on special days...like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. This was a "no brainer" to me. I printed off this pattern. Looked through my yarn. And tonight, I'm going to start working on it.

This is going to be one of Lauren's birthday presents. :) I just wish that I could find some other quick, and easy patterns. Because I know that she will enjoy some new toys, for her playhouse. I don't mind buying the patterns either. So if you have some ideas, please leave me a comment. I'm always looking for new ideas, patterns, Etsy shops, etc.

~Manders

Super Cute!

In the last few months, so many people we know, have welcomed a new little one. It's such a blessing! In the next few months, we know of a handful of babies, who will also be born. I'm telling you, this is such a joy!

I've wanted to branch out. And make a few gifts. Something made with love. I've made a few things for our nephew. And our friends' little girl. But I'd like to make a few more gifts. For some upcoming Baby Showers, that I'm invited to.

I'm not the fastest crocheter. Nor the best. But I try. I have a few projects that I'm working on, for my own kids. So I was looking for something simple. But cute. And I found just that, in this pattern!



I'm seeking some help from Lola. I want to make the hat for newborns. And well, Lola has been at this, a lot longer than me! I want to have 3 or 4 done, by May. Fingers crossed. I can get this done! Because this hat, is seriously cute! I wonder if Abby would like one too...

~Manders

Petits Details

For a few years, I've been reading Petits Details. A beautiful blog! I've been meaning to share it with all of you. But I just kept putting it off.

I originally found this blog, because of Google. I was searching for some inspiration. And one of Shannon's pictures, just drew me in. Look at this gorgeous piece, that Shannon made!




Whenever I need some inspiration, or I'm having a tough day, I go to Petits Details. All of Shannon's pictures are beautiful! Her crafts, and style inspire me. I hope you enjoy Petits Details, as much as I do!

~Manders

Baby Seal

Mrs. S had this pattern posted today. It's so cute! I never thought of myself as a "crafter." But I really want to learn how to crochet. Every day that passes, each new pattern that I see, it just makes me want to crochet more. Look at this little seal! It's so cute!

~Manders

Hmm

I was very excited, when I read about a giveaway, on Lola's blog. I didn't think I'd win, but I figured I'd give it a try. You never know what will happen. Right? So I went to this certain blog, and read all the rules. I started to go through these steps, including "following" that blog and the sponsor's blog.

I did all of this because I was excited about the giveaway prizes. You had the chance of winning a $25 credit to Love Stitched. Just look at these pretty pieces.

This necklace immediately caught my eye!

And this headband. I really like it. Not too childish. But something I'd add to an easy updo. To just add a bit of elegance and whimsy.

Because I was working, I was doing this in steps. I "followed" both blogs, looked in the shop for my favorite items, and I was getting ready to blog about the giveaway. I had a few minutes before Lola made the switch from the LBs to the BBs. You know, when I have to work.

As I was going to go write a post, I noticed something in my "Reading List." The giveaway winner was already posted. Some 3 hours before the giveaway was over. I re-read the giveaway post. No, it said that you had until 11:59pm EST. It was only after 9pm EST.

I was a little sad. Because I wanted a chance to enter. But I wasn't going to waste my time. Obviously, the blog owner had decided to end this giveaway early. I was most sadden by the fact ,that she was still accepting "entries" in the form of comments. I know this, because she had to OK the comments.

I don't hold this lovely shop at fault. Honestly, they have some beautiful items. I'm already putting together a list of things that I'm going to purchase. This was a giveaway that was being done on another blog. What do you think of the situation? I know it's a giveaway. And it's something, that someone else, is doing for hundreds of blog readers. But what happened to a fair playing field?

I'm just wondering about the integrity of this blog, that I had been reading for a few months. I'm no longer following it. Because I just don't know if the blog author is credible. Not just because of this one post. But I went through other posts. For pretty much all of the giveaways, done on that blog, the "Giveaway Winner Post" is a "scheduled post." Not sure what that has to say about this person. Being that all of these posts where written and "scheduled" while the giveaways were still open.

Hmm, I don't know what to think. But again, I don't blame the shop. The shop owner had nothing to do with the way the giveaway was being run. Like all the previous sponsors. I guess it just makes me question some of the blogs that I read.

~Manders

Cuteness!

Here is another cute pattern that Mrs. S blogged about. Isn't this cute? This definitely makes me want to crochet. If we get some free time on Sunday or Monday, I'm going to go buy some supplies. With every cute pattern, it just makes me want to crochet more and more.

I think Lauren would also enjoy these veggies. You know, to play with. In her playhouse. I hope crocheting isn't too difficult. Because I'm really feeling inspired. I just want a fun hobby!

~Manders

Adorable

Mrs. S blogged about this cute little set today! How have I not already learned how to crochet? Probably because Lola is always making us some amazing things. All of my kiddos have the cutest and most precious little items. I just wish that I could make them too. I should probably start with buying some supplies.

~Manders

Cute Crochet

Lola's mom posted about this little pattern today. It's adorable! And it makes me smile. I just wish that I knew how to crochet. I really want to learn. And I'm going to ask Lola to show me, during the gigs in October. I'd love to make little things like this. Just to decorate our house.

~Manders