baby blankets: 35 for 35 years

a little bundle

a precious perfect soul wrapped up in a soft sweet blanket

here is my baby girl, Felicity Gail, just days old

tomorrow she turns 3

a little girl she becomes but forever my baby she will be

imagine a newborn babe and most often a receiving blanket is somewhere in the picture

receiving blankets to give them security and comfort in this big, new world 

for our sewing class this month 

i would like to invite you to join me in making receiving blankets for newborns born at our local hospital

the place we would like to imagine as one where only life begins

but we know that that is not the case

for such is the circle of life

this hospital is the one which we frequented so often those many, many ones with my Daddy

this hospital is where we said goodbye

i am grateful for so many caring doctors and nurses

and this is an opportunity for me to give back

on the eve of my 35th birthday {yep, you heard that right...yes, i'm feeling it}

i will be hosting our sewing class with a goal of making 35 baby blankets with your help

i will be championing a local Boy Scout, Landon Brewer, who has chosen for his Eagle Scout Project to make and donate 200 blankets to one of our local hospitals by April 1st

here he is delivering the first blankets that he made to these appreciative nurses

he says:

i decided to make receiving blankets for a local hospital because i love babies...i chose to do this because my sisters both had to give the hospital receiving blankets back when they checked out.  one nurse even took it off the baby in the parking lot!...yes, i have made some myself, three so far, my first sewing experience. yes, they are that easy!  if you would like to help me by making one or more please do!

well landon, we would like to help you collect 35 more blankets for your project

this is the perfect beginner's project if you are just starting out

or if you are a veteran come help me whip some of these up

join heather and i

at my home

my 35th birthday eve

to make 35 baby blankets

March 19th

6:30 - 9:30 pm open house style

leave a comment below with your email address and i will contact you with my address and directions

bring 

your machine

two yards of baby flannel - washed and dried - can be two coordinating prints or the same on both sides

thread - matching or contrasting

be apart of something that will warm your heart and the body of a sweet newborn

there are so many of us who are blessed and showered with gifts as we welcome our own into this world

but others may not be so fortunate

and being able to leave the hospital with a soft blanket of their new child's very own will show them that the world is a good place

full of lots of people who give and love

won't you join me

bloom organic airbrush tanning: discount and giveaway

local entreprenette #3

say hello to Renae...
this stunning lady also had a baby girl around the same time i had felicity.  poppy is her name.  poppy and felicity....two delightful names, destined to be friends.  renae is someone you immediately want as your friend. she has a warm, inviting nature with an ever-present essence of absolute coolness- her beauty always looking effortless.  her heart is big, super big.  one of my first meetings with renae was during our community garage sale.  renae and her husband, jesse, were thrilled to be planting a church and renae was searching for the perfect toys for their new members' children.  you could see the excitement in her hands as she choose each item with care.

i am delighted to have Renae introduce herself and her business

I have been married to my husband Jesse for 7 wonderful years. We have 2 children, a son Braeden who is 5 and a 2 year old daughter Poppy. They couldn't be more opposite and I couldn't be more happy. Our hearts are so full. We have been in ministry for five years learning and growing from Jesus each step of the way.
I have loved tanning since the early days of high school growing up in Bakersfield. Banana boat...boom box...105 degree weather. Then came tanning beds. Im fair skinned, that's a nice way to put it. The madness had to stop. I found airbrush tanning about two years ago and "organic" was the cherry on top. I actually care about skin now-and yours:) I'm the mom at the pool lathering my little Irish kids in SPF 50 every few hours. You don't have to damage your skin anymore to have a tan. It's a wonderful thing.

Bloom Tanning is a mobile organic airbrush tanning service. For whatever the occasion we want to make you come alive from the inside out. If a beautiful bronze tan is what you need to feel confident with what you already have, we can do that for you. Airbrush tanning is the safest way to achieve that flawless tan while softening your skin, naturally.

Our product is a perfect blend of natural ingredients that will bronze your skin while keeping it moisturized, radiant and hydrated throughout the tanning process. It is formulated with organic oils (high in antioxidants), green tea extract, organic herbs, vitamins and natural colours. The skin-firming formula goes to work while your tan develops. All of our products are hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and alcohol-free. The unique formula is custom blended to give you the most natural tan based on each client's skin or preference.

***

doesn't that just sound luxurious?! 

well you are due for a luxurious reward
renae is offering a $15 discount off your first tanning by mentioning this giveaway and contacting her here or over on her website

it gets even better for one lucky Inland Empire resident...

I am hosting a BLOOM TANNING GIVEAWAY

one lucky Sweet Dreams are Made of These reader will win 

ONE FREE MOBILE ORGANIC AIRBRUSH TAN!

*This giveaway will close at midnight on Thursday December 20th PST

*This giveaway is open to INLAND EMPIRE, CA RESIDENTS ONLY!!! {i know you wish you lived here}

* The winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter and will have 48 hours to respond to the winner notification email. After 48 hours another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{photos by Leslie Autumn Photography}

building a sense of community: say hello to local entreprenettes

one of the things i wanted to accomplish with Craft Explosion this year
was to provide a greater sense of community
women meeting other women that they may have passed at the grocery store or at the school,
but never had a chance to chat with
we had many attendees this year who met lots of new neighbors
so happy to see that!!

another way i hoped to achieve this idea of community
was to give many of these amazing women who are small business owners an opportunity to share their companies with the local ladies
three of them took me up on this idea and provided business cards with discounts which were added to the goodie bags for the craft explosion attendees

i wanted to introduce these lovely entreprenettes to you all as well
they have extended their discounts
and have added some delightful giveaways just for my readers

may i introduce these fine specimens from the ranks of work-at-home moms...
Sherrie of Domestic Days
Valerie of 2Troublemakers
Renae of Bloom Tanning  {coming soon}

visit each post to meet them and partake of their discounts and enter the giveaways

2Troublemakers: discount and giveaway

local entreprenette #2

say hello to Valerie...

this woman has drive and ambition.  she is a go-getter.  i first met Valerie when she spoke at a MOPS {mothers of preschoolers} event and shared tips she had learned from having her own photography business.  since that day i have seen her bouncing around town exercising, volunteering at the schools, being a voice and the hands for charity after charity, and now creating a successful online business for the coolest kids around.

i am happy to have Valerie introduce her shop she started with her friend Nicole

So, 2troublemakers is basically your one stop shop for cool boy things. (and some tomboy things!!) 
Nicole has 2 boys, Otto and Augie, now 6 and 4, and she was constantly scouring the internet for cool products for her boys. I had Cyrus 3 years ago and was very frustrated with the lack of cool boy's items in the stores. While Nicole scoured and always found the best stuff (ask anyone, her boys are the best dressed/accessorized kids around!), and I just sort of settled on the basic everyday options at all of the local stores, we were still left frustrated. Then Nicole, just thought "hey what if there was just one cool website where people can buy everything they need". She knew that we could do the leg work and make it easy for other mamas. She brought me in on the idea and after lots of work and time, our website came together. We are always on the lookout for cool products and we just put it out there. We sell wallets, suspenders, bow-ties, moto gear, patches, and lots of fun other things for little dudes. We are having so much fun with it because we are passionate about our products! And, we are stoked that people "get" us. We were a little worried that everyone really was into fire engines and puppy dogs on their boy's stuff! ;-)

the inspiration for their shop...their darling boys

once you look, you can't stop yourself

a few of my favorite things from their shop:

1. cherrie suspenders

2. going argyle tee

3. nerd o rama onesie

4. union jack bento box
5. green/black checkered bow tie
6. mustache reusable drinking straw set

read more about how they came up with their name over on their blog

Valerie and Nicole created their own darling goodie bags for Craft Explosion attendees.
And they are extending a generous discount to all of you at their wicked shop 2Troublemakers
20% off your purchase by entering the coupon code EXPLOSION20 at checkout

I am also hosting a 2TROUBLEMAKERS GIVEAWAY

TWO lucky Sweet Dreams are Made of These readers will each win a set of Toyboarders!!

i am in love with these, and so are my kids;)  they are a twist on army men...little green skaters.  

see them in action below and tell me your boys won't go nuts over these.  

{watch out they may replace Legos as the new pain in your feet:)}

*This giveaway will close at midnight on Wednesday December 12th PST

*This giveaway is open to anyone on the planet:)

* The winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter and will have 48 hours to respond to the winner notification email. After 48 hours another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

domestic days: discount and giveaway

local entreprenette #1

say hello to Sherrie...
I met her at our now mutual friend's lovely Crafternoon: full of buntings, vintage lace, and her bestie, yarn.  She taught me how to do this complicated twisty dealy that turned into a lovely necklace.    She has a warm heart and would drop anything and drive over windy hills just to come to your rescue.
I later met Tyler, and he and Sherrie became some of my square dance partners.  He won me over instantly with his twinkling eyes and humble nature.

i am happy to have Sherrie {pronounce sure-ree} introduce their shop

Domestic Days is a husband and wife team. Wifey, Sherrie, does all the crafting, sewing, crocheting, anything really to add a little handmade to your day.  Hubby, Tyler, does all the digital design. So whether you need an invitation, thank you card, gift, or a little something to brighten your own day, we can create it!

We have been married 5 years. We met while on a missions trip in Scotland. We have 3 kids. Tyler studied graphic design. I learned to crochet from great grandma when i was 12.  I first learned to hand sew when i was 7 & then started sewing with my mom on a machine when was in my 20s. Aside from doing arts & crafts we love to travel, go to Disney, & play board games. :)  We also volunteer with a group that supports emancipated foster youth.

{sidenote from me:  i once came upon them playing a board game and found Tyler holding a plunger high in the air.  an image i will not soon forget}

a few of my favorite things in her shop:

. crocheted wreath

. the summer. monogram

. mustache headband

. handstamped clothespins

you can read more about her crafting and mothering adventures on her blog of the same name

Sherrie has extended the discount that she gave the Craft Explosion attendees to all of you.

Upon checking out of their delightful shop Domestic Days, enter the code: CXP12 for 10% off of your purchase.

I am also hosting a DOMESTIC DAYS GIVEAWAY

one lucky Sweet Dreams are Made of These fan will win a Domestic Days crocheted wreath in your choice of available color - $25 value

*This giveaway will close at midnight on Monday December 10th PST

*This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only

* The winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter and will have 48 hours to respond to the winner notification email. After 48 hours another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Still a few spots available for Craft Explosion

So excited for all of those who have already registered to attend this year's event!
Time for open registration for all of our classes is past
BUT...
This year we are going to allow registration for open spots on a first come, first serve basis until the class is full.
So check out to see if there is still room in your favorite class and then head on up or click here to register online to attend.
There's still time!!!

Here is the class schedule below. Availability for each class is shown to the right of the link to the class information post.

Craft Explosion Class Schedule With Availabilities

Wednesday November 14

6:30 - 9:30 

Growth Chart 1 Spot available 

Session 1 6:30 - 7:30

Painted Utensils Class Full

Chevron Necklace 4 Spots Available

Washi Tape Moleskine Notebook 2 Graph 1 Lined Available

Session 2 7:30 - 9:30

Enamel Painted Glass 2 spots Available - Coral, Robin Egg Blue, Kansas City Teal, Sublime Green, Vermilion 

Fabric Pom Poms 1 Spot Available

Thursday November 15

Session 1 6:30 - 7:30

Velvet Ribbon Comb 8 spots available

Leather Bow Cuff  6 spots available

Spray Painted Shoes Class Closed

Session 2 7:30 - 9:30

Needle Felting Elbow Patches 4 spots Available - Red, Orange, Aqua

Stamped Necklace  1 square available - choose charms and beads from available inventory at class

Glass Jar Chalkboard Labels 3 Spots Available for Pint Jars

Craft Explosion Registration Giveaway

***Congratulations to Natalie H for winning our Craft Explosion Giveaway***

i, like you, love a good giveaway

i, like you {ok so maybe just some of you}, may have great intentions to do something but need a little push to get it done

so here's your little push

a fun little giveaway to give you the little push you need to register for Craft Explosion

because i know you all want to come but you just keep saying, 

'oh...i just can't decide which classes to do, i'll register later'

'oh...just let me finish gluing on these last feathers to this Halloween costume...and then i'll sign up'

so here's your chance to win

a darling set of arrow salad servers 

from the folks at the Curiosity Shoppe

it was love at first sight for me the moment i laid my eyes on this whimsical kitchen eye candy

**giveaway extended 'til Wednesday, Nov 7th when the clock strikes midnight**

You have 5 ways to earn entries into the giveaway using the nifty 'Rafflecopter' giveaway form seen at the bottom of the post:

1. Register for Craft Explosion using the online registration form above or click here (1 entry)

2. Your payment for all of your fees are received via whichever payment option is available - Cash, Check, or Paypal/Credit Card (worth 2 entries!!)

3. Invite a friend to join you at Craft Explosion and have them register as well (1 entry)

4. Tell us which class you are looking forward to completing the class and who it is for. (1 entry)

5. Post a photo of the class you are looking forward to completing on your Facebook timeline with a link to the blog www.learn2love2sew.blogspot.com (1 entry)

the lucky winner will be posted on Thursday, November 8th here on the blog

enter all your entries below

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

still not sure...
check out all of our 13 fabulous classes here

Craft Explosion Registration is OPEN

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

How do I sign up for Craft Explosion you ask?!

Easy as 1 - 2 - 3

1. Browse through our fabulous lineup of projects listed below and make the difficult decision of which ones you will be doing.  {Make note of the options you get to choose such as paint or bead color}

2. Register online by clicking here or on the tab above.  No money is immediately required to register.  Just fill out the form.

3. Pay the instructors for the projects by the date listed in the class post and through the method they accept- Cash, Check, or Paypal/Credit Card

That's it!!!

Easy peasy lemon squeezey.

Craft Explosion Class Schedule

Wednesday November 14

6:30 - 9:30 
Growth Chart 

Session 1 6:30 - 7:30

Painted Utensils 

Chevron Necklace

Washi Tape Moleskine Notebook

Session 2 7:30 - 9:30

Mercury Class *ON HOLD*

Enamel Painted Glass

Fabric Pom Poms

Thursday November 15

Session 1 6:30 - 7:30

Velvet Ribbon Comb

Leather Bow Cuff

Spray Painted Shoes

Session 2 7:30 - 9:30

Needle Felting Elbow Patches

Stamped Necklace

Glass Jar Chalkboard Labels