Chicks, elephants, and ducks, oh my!

My sister in law, Cindi, is making her famous egg animals again. She knits the cutest animals and they fit over plastic eggs. Last year during our See's Candy sale for M.O.P.S. we sold like 60 of them or something...a nice alternative to the chocolate bunny. I especially like the animals you would not think could sit on an egg..like the Longhorn (burnt orange for UT fans), frog, horse, pig, alligator, turkey...so here are some favs.

Pampered

Thank you Crystal for teaching me more terrific tips for cooking. Friends and family know I am new to cooking to say the least. I could "bake" but that is about it. After I became an "At home" mommy about two years ago I figured I should feed my family. I dusted off a Rachel Ray book and the magic my husband calls dinner began. (I now have all of her books...from his family and others who want him to eat.) As I became more comfortable with cooking I realized her recipes actually take me a lot longer than 30 minutes. That is why I love Crystal.

Crystal did a show at a friend's home and I was literally taking notes. Cook a whole chicken in the microwave? It stays hot in its container an hour? Her shows are entertaining and informative and she gives you ALL KINDS of ideas for "survival cooking" as I call it. In addition, her cheerleader daughter babysits..for $5 an hour. crystallivingston@gmail.com

"craft day"

This is what I would consider a "craft day". It is possibly rainy outside, Zack is playing all by himself inside, Zoe's at school...so I need to make something cheerful. Today's project is finishing up diaper/wipe holders somewhere in between Target errand, a delivery, and both kids' Kindermusik classes.

talent

Sometimes you meet someone who knows what you need before you ask for it, can run with an idea and make it even better than yours, and who magically makes things as if you were their only priority. That is Linda, my seamstress. She has been sewing for me/with me? since last summer. She is also gifted at alterations. I meet her at Restyle (http://www.restyleaustin.com)/ to pick up/drop off items to be sewn, and I found a fun dress for the Rodeo Gala which she made 4 sizes smaller and shorter in the torso.

That is one of my favorite spots, as I am a shopaholic and with such reasonable prices I can't get into too much trouble. The diaper covers are by Linda (we have even modeled them on a bear to get the sizing right!). If you should need something made to fit you, contact me and I'll ask Linda because somehow she will fit it in to her busy schedule and make it happen.

Shoe Money's "anniversary"

So I started Shoe Money last February (or end of February really) after a scrapbook retreat thinking I would make scrapbook covers out of fabric since I was bored with the leather bound books available. At the same time someone needed a baby gift or something, so I made a bib with a pattern I drew on a Gap paper bag. I showed my mommy friends and they loved them, and I loved creating again as sewing/design has always been my passion and a source of many gifts for my family and friends. I discovered my friend Danielle was making baby blankets and we figured if we bought fabric together we could split it, as there is always a minimum amount you have to buy on line at the yummy places. With the encouragement of my best friends, Adrienne and Stephanie (thanks girls for your constant support) and my mom (who bought a sewing machine for me since my hand-me-down Pfaff I had all through college and beyond died) I decided this may be a way to keep my "At Home mom" status and not have to return to teaching. I just need a little "shoe money" really, so that is how it all started.

I started small, mainly selling to family and friends, then did some "sell-your-stuff-on-the-side- of-the-road" type of craft shows, then better shows, then sold to two stores that are just fabulous to work with. Three web guys later, I have a website that is still being improved : http://www.shoemoneyonline.com/ and I am hoping to expand to various parts of Austin and Dallas (for now). I love making custom orders and can't wait to play with all of the fabrics we find. Sock monkeys are still favorites (they just make me giddy) and I love, love, love minky dot chenille as it is soft but lightweight. Since my site is being updated I am also at http://www.shoemoney.etsy.com/ I still use that same Gap bag as a pattern for my bibs.