Wednesday, May 13, 2009

A Gi-nor-mous THANK YOU!!!!!!!!



Oh girls...how do I ever begin to thank you for the way you have blessed me/Jack/us with your priceless, beautiful gifts??? I am overwhelmed by all the love and the amazing, incredible gifts...you're generosity and talent has me floored and as soon as I get a chance I will be posting official thank yous and lots and lots of pictures of everything...life is a little bit crazy right now, and I need to fill you in on the details of that as soon as I get a spare moment. Hopefully soon. But thank you, I love you each. So. Dearly.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

{Sweet Little Packages}

Good Morning Precious Ladies!
So this is going to be the post that keeps getting added to. :)
I will post the sweet gifts that have arrived here at my door, just WAITING to get to Chelle and be loved.
Loves to you each!
~Minta
  • Ashley's baby legs...
  • Sarah's hat and booties....
  • Courtney's Special gifts......
  • Amanda's darling soft shoes and more.....

    Are all here safe and sound and ready to go!!
    I will be delivering these darling gifts to her on Saturday late morning/early afternoon, as long as everyone is fine with that. After the week-end is over, I am sure you will get the biggest surprised thank you!
    I will be taking pictures, so you will not only see her expressions but also maybe even a tiny little model wearing and enjoying some of these sweet things.
    I can also make aquick desert for her to enjoy..... any suggestions?

    I just want to thank everyone for your participation in this special event. I know it was not my idea and I did not participate in starting this sweet venture, but I know that the ladies who did would love to thank you as well.

    So for us all, to us all, THANK YOU! I just know Chelle will be blessed beyond words.
    X's and O's, Aminta

Saturday, May 2, 2009

{The Sweet little Jack}

So precious is he that has made his fathers heart melt into nothing but sweetness, his Sweet BIG sister into a singing/snuggling/giggling girl, and his Mommy a sighing, completely head-over-heels, MOMMY OF TWO....
Thats right, precious little Jack Dawson. Bundle of sweetness and melt-your-heart beautiful.

Remembering you like this........

And now, in honor of YOUR birth darling baby boy.....
We welcome you!












Beautiful Sister...... So in love with her very own Jack.

for those who haven't heard

check facebook... the long awaited Jack Dawson arrived and he is squishable. Im sure you all already know.. but just wanted to make sure!

Friday, May 1, 2009

{Updates on dates}

Hello Ladies!! :)
So I was thinking on the week-end after this.... and if they are able to, they want to drive over for the wedding.
IF they do make it, I will be throwing her party then.... as long as everyone is alright with that.
So, if you are still needing to send your gifts, and want them to be given with all the rest, please send them to me ASAP.
I would more then likely be giving them to her the morning before the wedding.
I am doing hair for the wedding, and hope to be done and with her for an hour or so before hand.
Anyone have ideas???
Let me know what you think and how you feel.
I know everyone is anxious to get their gifts to her, but if anyone wants, I can drive over in a few weeks and throw a bigger one.
Anyhow, let me know!!!
Loves, Minta

Monday, April 27, 2009

question

anyone mind if I pretty up this blog a bit, I was going to use some of there maternities.....??

Thursday, April 23, 2009

mission accomplished

The baby quilt is all finished!
Washed and dried, all soft and wrinkly.

(the front)

I hope you guys don't mind, but I am going to go ahead
and send it to her before little Jack comes.
I have a couple things in her box that she needs before and right after he comes.

(the back)

And I would love for her to have his quilt,
to use if she needs it, for when he is born.
My favorite 1st pictures of Sadie~Rose are of her
wrapped up in or laying on
the beautiful quilt that Chelle made for her.
I have hopes of her doing the same.

I will send another little something to Aminta
to include in the big shower.
You guys don't mind, do you?

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

{finished product}

I finally have pictures of Jack's wee church vest. I had to rip the neck out about four times before I got it right, but it was definitely worth it. When I look at it, it reminds me of Chelle:) And when I thought about what kind of button to put on it, the only thought in my head was that it had to be red! So here is the finished product:


This is always so much fun:) I hope you all are having a blessed day!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Change of plans....

Hey!
I got a call from Chelle this morning. She had an appointment with Tonie, the mid-wife, this morning. YAY! Tonie thinks that she is more then likely going to have this little Jack a bit early.
Honestly, I think this would thrill Chelle. She had Annabelle three weeks early as well. So it would not be a surprise. :)
And, she has been wishing that Jack would show up early for another reason. David's brother (lol, yes, our brother-in-law) is getting married on the 9th of May, and as you all know, Jack is due on the 7th. Plus the wedding is about 400 miles away from where they live. So this has made Chelle sad that they could be missing this.
Well, as a result, Chelle may be overwhelmed.... or maybe even in labor..... when I planned to head over. So this holding off is a good idea.
I will talk to Fairlight and we can try to plan for a different time. I am thinking that perhaps we could play it by ear.
Have everyone still send the gifts as early as possible, and when Jack arrives, then we can plan for two-three weeks after that.
If he comes early enough, they will be coming to Idaho for the wedding and I could just snatch her for a few hours over that week-end.
Fairlight, Katie or I can keep everyone posted!
Loves to you ladies, and thank you for being so flex able!
Minta

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

{Shower Ideas}

I was talking to Chelle today.......

And she seemed maybe a tad bit overwhelmed. I am wondering if perhaps we should hold off until little Jack comes.
Thinking that it might be a bit more enjoyable for her. Right now she has all of these other things on her mind. And she has had ALOT of company. You know two girls week-ends, and un-expected younger brothers and such.
I was wondering what the rest of you ladies thought?
Loves,
Minta

Monday, April 6, 2009

Packages all dressed up...

Hi Ladies!
I have my goodies all done for Chelle and Sweet Jack. However, I have no idea when and where to send them...help?
I can't wait to see how this all comes together. Such fun!

Sarah :)

Saturday, March 28, 2009

ready for the mail....


finally had some time to bust out the sewing machine during naptime today, and i was able to finish up my little projects for chelle and jack and annabelle. i hope to box them up and get to the post office monday or tuesday but thought i would share some pictures first! :) the balls are three different sizes...the smallest jingles a wee bit, as it has a pouch of bells hidden inside, and the mid-sized one crinkles. the shoes...well, you've already seen those (and leslie...here is the link, sorry it took so long to get it posted! here is another one...very similar). and, finally, a soft dollie for miss anniebelles! i can't wait to send these off, and oh what a lovely day it has been ignoring the messiness and enjoying some craftie time!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

So excited to send these off for Chelle!!

I just wanted to quickly show a few things that have been recieved/made and OH how I am getting so excited to send these off for our dear sweet friend!

I have been recently informed that the plush blocks that I had ordered for Chelle on etsy are to arrive very soon!
I've been looking in my mailbox everyday as if it were a treasure hunt!
I am also in the middle of working on the most ADORABLE little Big Sis shirt for precious little
Annabelle!
I am so so so excited about that!
And as soon as that project is done I am going to try to quickly sew up a little journal cover for Chelle.
Above is the passi clip, from Fawn and Finch that was on her favorites list!
It is the most darling thing ever!


And last, but not least, here are a few photos
of the dipey/wipey case I made, inspired by the very creative and talented KT, from a darling little purse/pocket book that she made for me during one of our swaps.
I am so inlove with the design, besides from carrying with me everywhere I go, practically, that I decided to sew the case similar to it.


Here is a not so good peek inside.

A little better?

Can't wait to see everyone else's photos of all the beautiful things in the making!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Late start...

I have been following along and reading all the posts. You are some of the most talented ladies I've ever known in my life! Such sweet sweet gifts you've all made. I hope you guys don't mind that I'm jumping in a little bit late. I've been working on my gift for a while, but it still isn't finished yet.




When it is done, it will be a cute little church vest for sweet Jack. Not quite as practical as some of your gifts, but when I saw the picture, I just had to start knitting. It was so charming. And since our lovely Chelle is so charming, there is no question that her wee lad will inherit the same qualities!

I will mail it out as soon as we get home from our trip and i finish the neck and arm bands! Thank you ladies for the daily dose of inspiration I get from this site when I visit!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

sweet Leslie + our little scrappy journal!

Hello!

First off, a little Leslie update: As of this afternoon, she is still waiting for answers. Hoping for some tests and bloodwork and visits to specialists to explain some things, but nothing definite yet. I know she appreciates all of your prayers + emails so much. Thank you!

Next, I completely forgot to tell you how the delivery of Chelle's scrapbook went! I'm sorry! She was so surprised and excited and blessed! She loved it so much. She couldn't believe that we pulled it off behind her back- hehe, little does she know!! Seriously though, I think that it was such a great idea to give it to her early- I really believe that she thinks it is all she is getting from us! Yay! Jacy + Jess, I told her that you were going to be sending your pages straight to her. If anyone else would like to send some to her as well, just let me know and I will email you her address.

Leslie has all the photos from the big reveal on her camera, so I am sure that she will share them when she gets the chance. I am hoping to write my own little blog post about our weekend together tonight. It was such an amazing, special time. But you all were definitely missed! Hopefully someday we can have a big old blogging crafty weekend together- wouldn't that be the best?

How are all your projects for the shower coming?

xo

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

update on Leslie

Hey girls,

Chelle just sent out a couple of more emails about how Leslie is doing. We are hoping to talk to her today, but as it stands right now- she had a rough night but is at home now. Praise God! One of us will update more as soon as we hear anything. Thank you so much for praying!

I love you!
xo andi

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

please pray!

Dear sweet friends,

Some of you may have already gotten an email from Chelle, but just in case, I wanted to make sure that you all knew what is going on with Leslie right now. We had the sweetest weekend together. Seriously, so amazing. She is such a beautiful person and it was the best thing ever to be able to spend time with her in "real life" and get to know her better.

But while we were together she developed some new symptoms and after seeing her doctor today, has been admitted to the hospital for some issues concerning her heart. The plan earlier today was to admit her this evening and just monitor her for 24 hours, but she ended up having to be admitted sooner because she was having severe chest pain. Right now there are no answers as to why she is feeling the way she is- as she put it, her doctors are "scratching their heads". But she told Chelle and I to go ahead and share all this with you- I know she would appreciate your prayer support so much!

Thank you all for loving her so much! If you are interested in sending her flowers at the hospital, Chelle is organizing a little something to hopefully get to her tomorrow. And of course Chelle + I will keep you posted on what we hear!

I love you, dear friends!
xo

Monday, March 16, 2009

monkey time!

Two little monkeys sitting on my couch...All stitched up and ready to move into Chelle's house! Mean and green and just in time for St. Patty's day. :) Little Jack's monkey has the polka dots. And I couldn't resist making a best buddy girl monkey with strawberry spots for Annabelle. I love that so many of you are thinking of big sis...I know it's going to be a big adjustment for her when Jack arrives! Can't wait to wrap up this little duo and drop them in the mail.
Hi Ladies! Just wanted to let you know that I ordered this picture from Chelle's "wish list" for her today...

I should have it by late next week. As soon as I receive it I will send it along to you, Aminta!
btw - I love all of the gifts you girls are putting together and I am getting very excited for Chelle! I think she is going to be thrilled!!!
Love - Lisa

Friday, March 13, 2009

I promise pictures are coming!

I am so bad about posting pictures!
Of everything!
I do promise that they will be coming soon.
Get this...BOTH of my camera batteries have died :(
And BOTH of my chargers are lost :(
I'm so sad!

I have finished the diaper/wipe case as of last week and I am inlove with it!
The passy clip came and is OH SO ADORABLE!!!
I found the cutest little t-shirt for darling Annabelle and did a little decorating to it.
I didn't make the dead line for the scrappy journal, so I will be mailing my pages directly to Chelle, so that she can just insert them in herself...hope that's okay! :S I actually went ahead and stuck in the mail box last week sometime and when I saw the mail man had already ran, I decided to take it out and work on it a little more since it was so pittiful looking :( I really needed more glue sticks and paper so I got them today:D
And I am STILL waiting on a little tag/softy block that I ordered from etsy...if all else fails, I can just mail it to her later on.

I can't wait to share pictures...even if I have to purchase a new charger...someday my life will be less chaotic and I will be able find things because they are in their place lol

Love you girls and I am SO INLOVE with all the things that have been posted/created/made/bought...so so cute and Chelle is going to love it all, I am so sure.

Hope you girls that are going to meet Chelle this weekend have a very safe trip...know that I am praying for your safety, hoping that you have tons of fun and envying you all at the same time!!!!

LOVE YOU!!!

Gift

Hi ladies! Since Jacy has the diaper/wipes case taken care of I have decided to give Chelle (Jack really) this adorable delicious baby hat! :)


How cute is this?! This was on her Etsy wish list. I am so in love with it. I saw that Sarah is knitting a hat, but I figure a few hats are just fine. :) I ordered it yesterday and as soon as I get it all packaged with a sweet little note from us I will get it sent out to Aminta.

I'm so excited that we have a date and plan in place. *grin*


I would love to see pictures of every one elses gifts!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

progress on the scrapbook...

Hey girls!

So sorry I have been MIA around here lately. Things have been really busy at my house the past few weeks. But I wanted to let you know that I have received all of the pages for Chelle's journal- I think! Please let me know if I am missing any...

I have pages from:
Katie
Aminta
Lisa
Amanda
Wendy
and Leslie is giving me hers this weekend.

I'll update more soon, I promise! Hope you are all having a happy week!
xo

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Your invited


Your invited to:
Sweet Secrets Shower


When: Saturday, April 18th
Where: the lovely Chelle's house
Who: Mrs. Aminta will be delivering our
gifts to the much loved recipient.



We will be sending our gifts to:
Aminta Bruzas
701 North College Street
Grangeville, Idaho 83530


More details to follow.
A chat? Some games?
Anyone have ideas?


is it time to set up when

this is all going down???

just curious.... :)

Thursday, March 5, 2009

pics...and looking for input!

just thought i would share a pic of the little softie shoes i made for master jack. i still have fabric left and was thinking of making something else...perhaps some little blocks or a softie or taggie stuffed animal...but it looks like all those type of things are covered. SO...just wondering if anyone has any ideas or "needs" they can think of. i am thinking i will make a little doll for annabelle out of some of the fabric....i figure the primary colors are bright and fun regardless of the gender. any thoughts or suggestions? of course, i totally dropped the ball on getting a scrappy page in the mail...ugh...sickies and pregnancy is making me lose my mind!


the other thought/idea that has been floating around in my head are these blocks from a college friend's etsy shop. i was thinking of ordering some in primary, vintage-y type colors and having her put jack's initials on one side and annabelle's on the other. i hesitated with this idea though, remembering aminta's post about colors, etc. depending on whether the kiddos share a room or not. any thoughts?

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

A few questions

I feel like the internet has been betraying me for the last couple of days. :) I have tried leaving several comments on the last few posts here and for some reason haven't been able to. I finally decided to just post, but these were really just meant to be comments. (Unfortunatley when I posted originally I posted to the wrong blog and it published on my personal blog. BIG OOPS! Fortunately I deleted it within minutes, but I am hoping hoping that no secrets were ruined in the process of my error!)

First of all I am hoping to finish my scrappy journal pages today or tomorrow. I tried to email Andi, but don't know if it ever got through. I just need to know what address to send the finished pages to. Could some one email me with that info? wendindave(at)ameritech(dot)net

Thank you so much!

Leslie, you have done an amazing job with your beautiful handiwork!! I LOVE what you have made for Chelle and Jack. That fabric is perfect!

Jacy, I noticed on a comment you left that you have made a diaper/wipes case. I wondered if it was the same or similar to the one I had mentioned (You can take a look at the pattern I was considering in the comments section of the last post from me). If it is the same thing than just let me know. I haven't started my project yet and would be totally fine with doing something else. Just let me know! :)

This is so fun girls and I am thrilled to finally be seeing some finished products! It makes it all seem more real. One of the things I so loved about Leslie's shower blog was all of the amazing pictures of crafty projects that began pouring in at the end. You ladies have such talent!

~Wendi

Monday, March 2, 2009

I've been a stitching..

for a little baby Jack!!

Well this weekend, I knocked out the nursing cover, the taggie blanket, and I ended up doing a couple burpies, I hope thats ok Minta, Lord knows we could never ever have enough!! :) And I love me some pretty burpies... I always use them... except I wash and rewash the ones fairlight made me and use those over and over again... :)

This was so fun cause I have a couple baby girls due as well, and just assembly lined everything, and now all my baby shower stuff for March and April are done... woo hoo!

So without further jibber jabber... here is some of my present to Chelle. I also got her a Dick & Jane book to match all the fabric... and I still need to do the barrettes for Anabelle, and finish up my scrappy pages.



Thursday, February 26, 2009

scrappy book -don't forget

ok ladies this is a reminder to take some extra time today or tomorrow and sit down and work on these pages, you should probably mail them by next week to make in time to present the book to Chelle... I know today during naptime Im working on mine!! I'll post them later.


And as promised, just late... pictures from my scrappy journal that you all made for me as inspiration, its really lovely, I adore it and look at it at least once a week, Rylan likes to look at it too, she knows its Cade's special book!! I will tell you I teared up so much seeing all the love you guys poured into it, amazing.





*ahhh I had more pictures but they won't load!!.. I am also going to post these pictures on my blog, remember to be cautious about comments!

Monday, February 23, 2009

I'm going to attempt...

To make a wipes/diaper case for Chelle and Mr. Jack. I found what looks like a pretty simple pattern. We'll see how it goes -I don't have a whole lot of experience with sewing. I really want to try though!

Now I get to have the fun of picking out fabric! :) I'll let you know how it goes and post pictures when I get to it.

Leslie, I think you had commented that you had, and enjoyed, a diaper wipes case. Does yours have a handle/strap on it? Do you think that is important? I don't think the pattern I found has a strap, but I could work it in.

~Wendi

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Juices a' flowin!




So I got a bunch of the fabric for Chelle's surprise presents. YAY!


As most of us do, Chelle loves red. So this was my inspriration. She requested brown for the sling so as to match everything. I am not telling which fabric is for which project....... so that will be a little surprise. I still have a few things that I am waiting on. SO excited to get started.


I hope that these have started a few bee's a-buzzin' in your bonnets!


XO's, Minta

Thursday, February 12, 2009

a little more on the journal...

Hey girls!

Just wanted to pop in with a few more details about the journal/scrapbook for Chelle. Leslie told me that she really loved hers, so I am thinking that we should make Chelle's the same way...

* The journal itself will be 8x8 inches large

* Please make the pages no bigger than 8x8 inches and no smaller than 3x3 inches- I love how for Leslie's they all ended up being different random sizes!

* Please leave a 1/4 inch to 1/2 margin open on the left side without any writing or detail work on it. This way none of your lovely work will be cut off when I put it all together.

* Feel free to make as many pages as you want. For Leslie's some people made just one or two pages, while others did as many as five!

* You may use one side of the paper, or both. Both sides will be visable in the journal.

* Feel free to use any kind of paper, fabric, pictures, whatever to create your pages! I think that the beauty of these journals is in fact that they are made up of all kinds of random textures and color.

* You may include anything, as far as writing goes, on your pages. Some ideas: words of wisdom, quotes, poems, verses, photos/pictures, letters to Chelle...

* The deadline for sending in pages is: Tuesday, March 10 (that is about one month away), but the earlier the better!

* Please send me an email (talesofacraftymamaATgmailDOTcom) to sign up and I will send you an email reply with my home address.

I can't wait to see all of your beautiful pages!

xo

P.S. Either Leslie or I will try to post some photos of her finished journal for you to see in the next few days...

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

LETS MAKE A JOURNAL!

Hey there all,

It looks like I'm going to be so blessed to get to go and meet the sweet Chelle in March, (along with Andi too) this hasn't been made public knowledge on blogs, but she does know Im going. Im so glad to go and do maternity pictures for her!! Yeah!!

Anyhow....

Start getting ideas ready for her special book, we would love to present one to her on our little weekend, kind of like the amazing book you guys made for me, I adore it. We will get details up this weekend about it and hopefully you can get them sent.

Fairlight and I think it would be fun to give it to her and she might think thats her blogging surprise for Baby Jack then a couple weeks down the road when stuff is more finalized we can figure out a time to surprise her with all the special gifts we are working on. How fun is that!!! I think it would be a great way to build the secret.

Anyways.. if your even interested in making the special journal like KT mentioned below leave a note here, so we can see how much interest there is in it and if you think you could mail out a couple pages for it, in the next couple weeks. Any other ideas for this, let us know.

In other notes - Chelle sound sounded so great today!! Happy excited, and she said feeling GREAT!! Hurray for her and her kung foo kicker baby Jack!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Baby Shower gift ideas!

Hey girls, so not much seems to be happening on the blog at the moment. you all still there?
So Fairlight and I thought we would get an inspiration and gift idea list up and running and hopefully get those creative juices flowing. Here's the list of gift ideas, items that Chelle is in need of (and items some ladies have decided to make) that we have so far. We thought although we don't know when or how the gifts are yet to be delivered it would be good to start planning on the actual gifts themselves. enjoy the cuteness...

Clothing items:
- soft shoes (amanda)
- baby legs
- onesies
- hats/beanie knits
- pants/tops

cute huh? this one from here.
Can anyone knit/crochet?


The 'Esentials':

- diaper bag (Aminta)
- Minky Blanket (Aminta)
- burp cloths (Aminta)
- quilt (Fairlight)
- bibs for baby (Leslie)
- tea towel bibs for when little man gets a little older (katie)
- diaper covers (kt) (fairlight)
- receiving/swadling blankets.
- cloth diapers (this is on her list of wants)!!
wonder if these are any good? or these?
- sling (we know she really wants on of these)
ring sling, mei tai carrier, pouch?
- nursing cover (leslie)
- changing pads. this one looks handy, easy to chuck in a diaper bag and simple in design to copy ;) this one too:
- pacifier clip $6 by FawnandFinch (this one was on her etsy wish list in the elephant print) - (jacy)Toys:

- stuffed toys - sock zebra (kt)
- sock monkey?
- soft blocks these ones with tags look fun too.
- taggie mini blankets. Simple cute idea.
Other:
- scrappy journal.
Did we want to re-do this idea as we did for Leslie?
full of wisdom, advice, and inspiration.
One person would start it, decorate a page (or 3)
and then mail it to the next person.
At the end we could add it to the collection of shower gifts
and she would have a whole little book full of
sweet ideas, lovely quote, picture inspirations,
notes, and blessings from all of her friends.
We would have to work on this one quickly,
with each person only getting a few days
before sending it on to the next person.
sending it around or each sending our pages to one lady?
- prints for room. Apparently she loves this print.
Super cute with little Annabelle and Jack's initals on it.

found on etsy here.
- baby diaper wipe case as seen here and here. Probally not a 'necessity', but cute right?

-children's books
to help start baby Jack's library.
Maybe really "boy" books such as
Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel,
Norman the Doorman,
the Billy and Blaze series,
Curious George, etc.
Primary colors and vintage or contemporary illustrations
would be an extra bonus. :)
-a hooded terry bath towel edged with a contrasting fabric

Gifts for Anabelle:

- baretts (Leslie)
- big sister presents anyone have any nice ideas?


So what do you girls think of all this? Please feel free to add in your imput and if any of these ideas appeal to you or get your creative juices flowing let us know if there is an item on this list you would like to make or buy for Chelle.