Giveaway Ends at Midnight!

Yesterday, my Dad and I celebrated our birthdays together as we have every year for the past 34 years. 

I am happy that we share this day. I am glad to know he thinks the best birthday present he ever received was...me!

I am pretty sure the Snickerdoodles I baked for him for yesterday ranks among the top of that list as well. ;)

Here we are my very first birthday! Holly Hobbie plates! Poor guy suffered so many years with girly plates.

I love that glance I am giving him in the photo. Like he is just about the best Dad a girl could ever have!

Actually, that sentiment still remains true. Then, today and forever.

I love you, Dad!

* Today is the last day (until midnight!) to enter to win one of TWO "Celebrate" felt banners! 

If you could create a new holiday with your most favorite of things to celebrate..what would it be? Click here to enter!

It's SewMamaSew's May Giveaway Day!

It's May Giveaway Day over at SewMamaSew and I decided to be one of the over 250 participants this year!

And...what better way to C E L E B R A T E than with a felt banner stating that exact sentiment!

I created this "Celebrate" banner using recycled felt and cotton fabrics. There are also little red heart buttons glued to the center of the stars. Included is a red polka dot ribbon long enough to hang your new banner and an extra dose of fun with a set of my kindness cards! 

So, here is the deal: Leave a comment by answering this question:

If you could create a new holiday in which to celebrate your most favorite of things, what would it be? For example, I would celebrate "All-Girl Road Trips, Surprise Gifts, and Mid-afternoon Naps".

**Winner will be chosen at random.**

** Giveaway ends Thursday, May 20th at midnight EDT**

And what is a good celebration without more than one door prize?! 

I have TWO of these banners to giveaway!!  

GOOD LUCK!

*If you are new to my blog ( HELLO ! ) and would like to browse around, here are a few posts you may find interesting:

• How to build a mini-terrarium

• 100 Fun, Frugal Things to Do with your kids this summer!

• With 5 girls in the house and the youngest being twins, there's always something new happening!

• Speaking of the twins, read our Twin Home birth story!

• And how crafting goes down in a house full of little girls!

And the winner is...

The winner of the HeartFelt Giveaway Wall Hang was picked via a random generator! Number #27, Valerie, takes the prize! CONGRATULATIONS!

I was overjoyed with the response to our giveaway and l o v e d reading all the responses about your summertime favorites!

I also would like to welcome the new subscribers that have enjoyed browsing my blog! I hope you all find a bit of joy with each visit! I too found many new blogs through SewMamaSew's May Giveaway! I'm afraid my blogroll will burst one of these days with all the lovely things I find to read each day!

Don't forget to check out my sister Tessa's Etsy shop, thedotdesigns! She is currently featuring these cute felt cat toys made with 100% organic catnip! My cats love them!

She offers a low $2 shipping fee and no additional shipping costs if you buy more than one item!

Funky Felt Cat Toy - $3

Three Blind Mice Cat Toys - $5
Felt Cat Toy Variety Pack - $12.50

I Know It's May When...

The Mock Orange in my garden is in full bloom again! I love when this fragrant shrub opens it's beautiful white flowers and allows the air to smell a bit sweeter!


My Mom always tells the story of the Mock Orange she had planted outside their own home. It's the story which prompted me to buy my own shrub when my husband and I, with only baby Madelyn in tow, moved here!


When I was just born, May 19th and on my Dad's birthday (what a surprising gift he received THAT year!), my father snipped a bunch of stems from their blooming bush to bring inside to the new mama! Ahh, a story as sweet as those fragrant white flowers!


The May Giveaway, hosted by SewMamaSew, is still running strong! Thanks to all the entries so far! I am enjoying reading all the responses to "the one thing you LOVE most about the summer!" If you haven't entered yet and would like a chance, click *HERE* and leave a comment!

Home Sweet Home

We are home from our mini-getaway to the mountains! It's a wonder how slow-paced the days seem to be when there is no rushing about, no phones ringing, and no blogs to attend to or emails to read.

After a delicious family gathering at my parents' home for a backyard barbeque, we were welcomed with this wonderful surprise! My herbs are just starting to sprout! Here is the pot of basil the girls helped me plant a few weeks ago!



We have Oregano, Italian Parsley and Chives growing also! Mmm.. can't wait to use some fresh herbs in our summertime dishes!

I also got the pleasure of being mentioned in a blog I frequent often, Nature's Child. Over the weekend, Cate Nelson wrote a great piece titled Use Your Kind Words. Check it out and subscribe! They post a ton of great articles!

In other happenings, SewMamaSew is hosting a May Giveaway that starts tomorrow! There will be some handmade goodies up for grabs so make sure to check back on SewMamaSew's blog tomorrow for the list of participants!



Due to my weekend away, I may have missed the deadline for becoming an entrant but I am hoping to slip onto the bottom of that list to be part of this great creative giveaway! Keep your fingers crossed!