Instead of doing nothin'.

I am making it my mission to do SOMEthing. I am assuming that I am not alone when I confess the following...often I am guilty of doing NOTHING when I could have done something. I manage to talk myself out of doing the little things for others...or for myself for that matter, because I convince myself that it isn't good enough, clever enough, doesn't cost enough...just isn't enough. I began working on changing this thinking before Christmas.
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It started with my Christmas cheer packages. I had wanted to do something like this the year before...and ended up doing nothing because I convinced myself that what would be in the box wasn't enough. But this year I went for it. Most boxes contained little more than some cookies, candy and an ornament or note. Just a little something. I sent to those that I felt like I should. I did not worry myself with not being able to send to everyone. I did what I could. And you know what? God totally showed up in those boxes. I can't tell you how many people told me that their box showed up at the perfect moment, turned their day around or helped them to feel loved just when they needed it. I delighted in that...that I was not missing a God moment. :) It helped me to know that I was growing in an area that God has wanted me to for some time...
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So now...I am making it a life mission to always do SOMEthing instead of nothing. Yes, I may want to cook a fancy meal to take to friends but if all I can do is make some brownies...then I will do that. I may want to make a super amazing gift for a friend's new baby but if all I can do at the time is buy something cute from the store...then I will do that. I may really want to send someone a great birthday gift...but can only think of something small to get...then I will get that something small. I may want to comment on every blog that visits here...but if I can only do a few...then I will do that. :)
SOMEthing is better than nothing.
I am even applying this to stuff I have to do around the house...just today I knew that the bathroom HAD to be cleaned...I did not have the energy for it so I took down all the towels, bathmat, etc and washed and dried those...I did SOMEthing and that feels a whole lot better than doing nothing.
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Have I lost you all yet? Do you do this to yourself too? Do you find yourself wanting to do something but usually end up doing nothing because you feel like it isn't enough? Well, I can tell you that I just started on this new mission and already I can see a change...in me and around me. I am not so quick to dismiss a thought but instead think on it longer to see how I can make it work for me to be able to do SOMEthing. I can "see the change" around me in that those in my life can see/feel/hear/know that I was thinking about them and as a result, know that they are loved.
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After all, doctors don't say..."Well I can't cure everyone, so I won't cure anyone". Missionaries don't say "I can't reach everyone...so I won't try to reach anyone". Right?

So...I want to motivate you to change this...for me to keep changing it, too. So I thought I would host ONE MORE swap before the baby comes. :)

We'll call it the "A little something" swap. :)

ALL you have to do for this swap is buy three things:

A pair (or two)of cozy fun socks (because everyone should have fun socks).
Your favorite hot drink (cocoa, tea, coffee, etc).
A sweet treat.

How about that? Are you up for it? Just a little something to brighten someones day...I hope that it will get us ALL into doing something instead of nothing and get us into a refreshing new habit. :)

To sign up please email me at ricracandpompoms @ gmail.com (No spaces).

I will assign partners NEXT FRIDAY the 16th and you will have a week to get a package in the mail from that date. :)

:) Even if you don't want to swap, as always I would LOVE to hear your thoughts! :)

xoxo

Who is up for it???!!?!?!?

Just when you thought this blog could not get any more fun...I have TWO super fun announcements for your Monday enjoyment! :)

The first is probably obvious from the photo above...I am hosting another SWAP!!! YAY! :)
Inspired by myself and some friends who have had some rough days lately I decided that the theme of this swap would be "Bad Day Survival Kit"! :) How fun does that sound?

So you want to play?
Here is what you do...
1) Fill in this questionnaire:
Name:
Email:
Kids/ages:
Favorite candy:
Favorite chocolate:
Favorite scent for candles/lotion:
If you ordered from the Starbucks menu what drink would you choose:
Favorite Magazine that you don't subscribe to:
Hobbies:
Do you collect anything for the holidays: (For example I collect red birds)

2) Email the filled out form to me at ricracandpompoms at gmail.com (replace the at with @)

3) Wait for your partner assignment.

4) Make that "Bad Day Survival Kit" and ship it out to your partner. :) Plan on spending $20 or so not including shipping. This swap is limited to USA participants only (sorry). :)

Super easy and super fun, right? You have this week to sign up...I will assign partners next TUESDAY! :) Please only sign up if you really want to do it AND you will follow through...it stinks to send out a fun box and never get one.

NEXT...

I go SO SO many goodies offered up to me for the giveaways that in addition to the regular Friday giveaways, I will be doing spontaneous SuRpRiSe giveaways! These surprise giveaways will only be open for a day each so you have to check in often to enter...I will try to pick a winner of the fabulous goodies within 24hours of posting the announcement. :) Be sure to check in often because there will be one or more a week and you don't want to miss any of these super fun goodies!! : )

So basically my blog is the most fun to be this holiday season right? :)

I just posted a bunch of brand new Christmas cards in the shop...

Along with this nearly edible onesie...my own sweet bird design. :)

And the WINNER of the Lassie Girl item of choice is....(per the random number generator)
SARA of It's Good to Be Queen. :) She also has a sweet little Etsy shop called 2blondeboys!

Yay for Sara! Sara, just let me know that you read this and then contact LassieGirl to get started on your custom item. :)

Make sure you are ALL here for this Fridays giveaway...if you are hosting any kind of holiday party...you DON'T want to miss it...

and keep checking back...you never know when a surprise might pop up. :)

And sign up for the swap. :)

And I am done! :)
xoxo

State Love Swap Goodies. :)

Oh the goodies I got from Wisconsin! Mrs. Shelly from Lemon Tree Studios sent me some awesome goodies. :) I thought the package I sent out was pretty fun until I got this...hopefully the person who got mine will be just as thrilled. :) Above are some cute note cards made from Wisconsin maps. :)

Here are some fun burp cloths...which I firmly believe you cannot have enough of. :) I'm pretty sure she made these...and a yummy preggo bar. :)

And this one almost made me cry, Shelly! She made me this nursing cover and I LOVE it!! How crazy talented is she? And how much easier will nursing be without having to balance the blanket over the shoulder gig?
Thanks for the baby goodies...you have given us our first new baby presents and I LOVE them!

And in honor of the university that is near by to her she gave me lots of red and white craft goodies...so much fun and I love them all...such an inspiring bag of goodies! :) Thank you Shelly...you really made my day! :)

Go visit A Fresh Take On Paper to see the fun Nebraska goodies that she got!

If you have gotten and posted about your goodies let me know and I will link to you so that we can all share in your fun! Or if you don't have a blog but have a photo let me know and I can post that too. :) Can't wait to hear from more of you!! :)

Be sure to take a peek in the shop later on today to see all the fabulous new goodies that I am going to put in there soon!

ALL ITEMS IN THE SALE AND SUPPLIES SECTION ARE 50% OFF!
Please wait for a revised invoice before paying!! :)

Colors in toyland...

Who couldn't have fun with all those colors right?

Sorry to leave you hanging and all but its been all I can do to keep up with life at the moment...let alone share it all via blog land. :) The last two days have been ummmm...nauseating. Literally. With Moses I had zero "morning" sickness...right now I have morning, noon and night sickness. Constantly. Ugh.

Lucky for me we will be taking a break for a few days...heading out of town tomorrow morning to visit my fab sister-in-law, her wonderful hubby and her little dog babies. :) We can't wait. And you know my vacation rules: no internet, no Etsy, no blog.
I need a break when I can get one. :)

...and don't go thinking of breaking into my house...we have one of those nice house alarms that is in with the police department...and neighbors to keep an eye out for you. :)

I will still be publishing a giveaway for tomorrow...the winner of this one will be whoever posts the 46th comment...as many comments as you like...the only catch is that you won't be able to see how many are already posted because I won't be publishing them until we get back on Tuesday. :) POST YOUR COMMENTS ON THE POST TOMORROW. :)

And here is some happy mail that you will be sure to be jealous of...
Check out my yummy new paper...mmmm...can't wait to dig into this.
Sweet fun stamps...
And these must be the most adorable rub-ons that I have ever seen...all mine. :) Can't wait to see what comes of all these cute new goodies!

And, don't forget to get your swap goodies in the mail in the next day or two! :)


See you when I see you! Peace and chicken grease! ;)

The good life.

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,

A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...
Won't you be my neighbor?

Hello friend! I hope this finds you all in the midst of a FaBuLouS Monday! We are busy, busy here but life is oh so good...the sun is shining, Moses is cute as a button, Doug is home (I couldn't tell you that he was gone because what if you were kidnappers ;)), no yucky people ANYwhere in my life...thanks for all your prayers, Doug has Tuesday and Wednesday off AND my dining room is the most happy shade of green. :) Here are a few better photos of said dining room:

I adore how the blue and green go together. :) Isn't it happy?

I buy a new orchid every couple of months...cheaper than buying fresh flowers (which I LOVE) and the blooms last forever...too bad I can never get them to bloom again. :)

Looove it! In case you are wondering...I put my books on the shelf like that on purpose, spines up, to show more of the white...I thought the shelves were too dark otherwise. :)

Man o man...just makes me happy!

I just finished a marathon of new postings in the shop...go check them out...lots of colorful new things to see and buy. :)

You just have to love these sweet and simple bird tags. :)

The winner of this weeks giveaway is Laurie. Please contact me via Etsy and let me know where you would like me to send your loot. :) For all you would be cheaters(wink wink) you know who you are...I read Doug all of the entries and left out any identifying information...He choose Laurie's because it sounded like things I would want to do. :)

Look for another giveaway next Friday!

I hope to get an email/blog post out on Thursday to cover the swap info. :)
Swap sign-ups go until Wednesday! Go HERE to sign up! :)

Please take a moment and take my quick little survey over on the right side...it's anonymous so be honest...I am just curious about other households as I am sure some of you are. :)

Swap sign-ups go until Wednesday! Go HERE to sign up! :)

It's that time again...

Swap time!!!

So the theme for this swap will be "State Love"! I don't know about you but I happen to think that my state is the best in the union so I am more than eager to share why in a box of love to an out of stater! If you would like to participate in this swap simply leave a comment on this post with your email address AND state on it! If you would rather you can go to Etsy and leave me a message there!

Sign ups will go for the next week and then I will assign partners
and send out details!

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I know I have been promising some new crafty goodness for a while...and I promise that it is coming...as soon as the crazy calms down in my home...above however is a photo of one of my current projects....a world map where I will put a pin for each location that I send an Etsy sale! :) How fun right? Only 600 or so more sales to go... (thanks for the inspiration Amy)

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And scroll down two posts to see an announcement about anonymous commenting.

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Thanks to all who participated in yesterdays post...we will do it again sometime...with more notice!

NOW LEAVE A COMMENT...YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!

Look Meg!!! I did it!!!

Favorite vacation place? The beach, any beach...I could walk on the sand for hours collecting shells and bits of fun things.

Do you have an Etsy shop and/or blog? You know it...

What's your favorite color? grass green probably...but it's hard to pick just one...

What's your favorite color combination? pink/green, red/blue, pink/brown, green/brown, turq/brown....color combo I hate...primary blue/primary yellow-blech!

What magazines do you subscribe to or buy at the newsstand? Family Fun, Parent, Paper Crafts, Cottage Living, Wonder Time---sometimes buy Real Simple...tempted by Martha.

What is your absolute favorite song? Barely Breathing by Duncan Sheik

What is your favorite candy or snack? I LOVE salty/sweet combos...chocolate covered pretzels, (real) kettle corn, etc...and apple pie and vanilla ice cream. yum.

I picked you a good 'un.

So here are the swap partner assignments...I tried to match people up based on a few things in my brain that I knew about each of you...

April and Scottie
Carolyn and Holly
Petra and Karen
Crystal and Meg
Becky and Amy

I hope you all find your partner agreeable. :) I added a link to the folks who I had a link for...Holly I have Carolyn's email for you and Amy I have Becky's.
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Here are the "rules" again:
Spend between $20-30 bucks...can include things you make or buy. Try to stay kinda within the budget give or take a few bucks. The theme for this swap will be "Spring"---this can include things like...candy, cards, tags, seeds, creative supplies (bought or made), gardeny things...etc. Basically anything you can come up with.


Try to get your box in the mail to your partner by April 5th or so. :) Take a photo of your goodies to email to me so everyone can see. :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Try to contact your partner in the next few days with these questions answered....then go from there, getting to know each other...hopefully someone new!!

Favorite vacation place?

What is your most favorite memory you have from your childhood?

Do you have an Etsy shop and/or blog?

What's your favorite color?

What's your favorite color combination?

What magazines do you subscribe to or buy at the newsstand?

What is your absolute favorite song?

What is your favorite candy or snack?


Annnnnnnddddddd....... GO!

One more.....

YES WE HAVE A ANOTHER SWAPPER!!!! BE BACK VERY SOON!!

We need one more swapper...I'm going to go be productive elsewhere and see if we can reel anyone else in....if we get one more we will still have partners if not we will just do it a little differently. :) email me at mosesmakes3 @ gmail.com--no spaces.

Back in a bit...

See Jane Run.

I don't even know how to describe my love for this bag. The entire time I was making it today, all I kept thinking was "It's working, it's working...I'm making a cute bag!!". I LOVE the print of the fabric by Micheal Miller...so super sweet and so great for a spring/summer bag. :) Within ten minutes of finishing it I ran to the fabric store to buy the materials for another one...look for a sassy black and pink combo in a day or two...


Today was Doug's day off...we all needed some time together. :) We miss each other when the days between days off go too long...we took Moses to the local hands on children's museum. Moses loved it. I loved that he loved it. It was great to be somewhere where he could just run and be. Everything was fun and new. He loved this hall the best I think. It was dimmed and made to simulate a rain forest. There are all these buttons on the wall that you can push and they will make rain forest sounds....Moses LOVED running from button to button, thrilled that he could reach them. Running.
There was a place to draw...isn't it cute how they are sitting in the same position, holding the pencil in almost the same way. Cute boys.
I think these mirrors freak Moses out a little...we tried to use this effect on our MAC photo both and he cried.
He loved seeing the bees...busy busy busy.
And for some reason he LOVED this hollowed out log canoe. Cute kid. I love days off. I love my boys. :)

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO EMAIL ME ABOUT SIGNING UP FOR THE SWAP...I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD FROM A FEW WHO EXPRESSED INTEREST.....

Tainted Love.

Over the last couple of weeks Moses has started to come up to me randomly and pucker up towards me for a kiss....how cute right? He must love his mommy so much that he spontaneously MUST kiss her at that moment. :) Awww....what a cute, sweet boy. Not quite. Today I was sewing at the dining room table and Moses was in the living room playing with his toys when he comes to me for a smooch...I then realize that he had just gotten into the DVD drawer of the armoir. Coincidence right? A few minutes later he runs in for another kissee...right after he changed the inputs on the TV. Turns out more times than not...or at least WAY more than I was aware, he was coming to kiss me after he was being naughty...and he knew he was being naughty...and is smart enough to know that kissing me makes it hard to be mad at him. Tainted love. Stinker.
So this weekend was Boring...with capital B. Mostly because Doug was working and because I was trying to come up with a doll pattern...and it wasn't working. The first one looked like a voodoo doll...the second, well let's just say she won't be appearing in the shop. She is off to a three year old who will look past her imperfections and dumpy head. So I reverted to the book that the ever so sweet Scottie had sent me and made Jenny. At first I did not like Jenny when she was sewn and stuffed...but the more I accessorized her, the more I loved her. Isn't she precious? I also found myself a little unhappy about the display above my bed...it was a little cold-it needed a little something so...I wiped on some robins egg blue paint and wiped it off again...leaving it in the cracks and crevices, added a sweet nest and a bird I made from the fabric swatches I got for this room initially. I think the result is much warmer...and more of what I was trying to achieve. These are my favorite new tags!! I am always trying to come up with ways to use my paper scraps...I hate throwing away anything bigger than a quarter...weird, I know but I think these are just adorable!! Perfect for any occasion!!
I also came up with these for Mother's day!...A cute ribboned up, stuffed heart that says "Mom" on the front and "love you" on the back...if you need it...it is in the shop.
And last but not least, Moses shoe fetish continues. He cannot be without at least one of his crocs. Here he is jumping one shoed. I can't remember the last time he napped without at least one shoe on.
Oh oh oh...DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE SWAP...EMAIL ME AT mosesmakes3 @ gmail.com (no spaces) to tell me that you want to participate and the one question you would ask your swap partner. :)

Swappy Time!!!!!

Ok, after much thought and consideration, here is what I have come up with as general swap "rules"...

Spend between $20-30 bucks...can include things you make or buy. Try to stay kinda within the budget.

The theme for this swap will be "Spring"---this can include things like...candy, cards, tags, seeds, creative supplies (bought or made), gardeny things...etc. Basically anything you can come up with.

I also thought as a way to try to get to know each other better, I would assign pairs. Like Betty and Sally would send to each other...chat back and forth to get to know each other before swapping, etc.

In addition to the "goodies" the idea to swap recipes was also brought up...so for this swap let's trade recipes that remind you of Spring.

If you are interested in participating in this swap please email me at mosesmakes3 @ gmail.com (no spaces- I add them to avoid spammers) by MARCH 19! In this email please include one question you would want to know about your swapping pal...once I receive all emails I will assign partners and compile all of the questions into one questionnaire. The deadline to get your package in the mail will be April 2nd. :)

Any questions or suggestions please include them in your email. :) I want this to be super fun and successful so that we can do another at a later time! :)

Phew....that was close...

Both of us almost didn't make it until nap time...moms of toddlers, I know you feel my pain...it's not that he has been naughty but that there has just been so much of him....more than once this morning I would look at the clock and say...."oh dear Lord...there are still 2 hours 23 minutes and at least 5 seconds until nap time"...
Doug was a good honey last night and took me out for a latte...and bought me a new Starbucks mug. :) Instant smile on my face. I LOVE Starbucks mugs and I have a nice collection to prove it. :) Always room for one more....Even though it is rainy and gloomy here , I am making my own sunshine...In the form of this darling and wonderful care package that I got in the mail from one of my best good friends. :) She knows how to make a girl feel loved. :) Look at all that goodness...custom collected just for me. Those who know me know that my love language is gifts...this definitely made me feel loved. :) Thanks sweet friend!! These little guys also arrived today. :) My "March" order from Tiddlywinks. There is one more in the bunch but Moses is already napping with him. :) These little critters will make three little kiddlets very happy on Easter. :) If you haven't been shopping at Tiddlywinks you simply must...you will never buy a store bought stuffie ever again...I promise. This sweet little bird was in with my package.....polka dots and birds...two of my favorite things. :) I also made some sunshiney cards...this one is my favorite. :)

Just a couple of cute shots of Moses I got today...not much light with all the rain but these I still like. How cute is this kid?!
A couple of thoughts...ok for like over two years now I have been in "Pampers points purgatory"....collecting those points(that come on packages of dipes and wipes) like crazy and saving up for something to show for all of the diapers I have bought for this kid...I am like two seconds away from having enough for 200 free prints from Snapfish so if you have Pampers and you are not in purgatory...I know someone who would like them.......I'm just saying.

A fun thing...I was thinking of organizing a Spring goodie swap with anyone who might want to participate...just something fun where we swap names and each of us send one person a box of goodies for Spring...candy, crafty things, fun things, sweet things, things you make,etc...if you would be interested in participating please let me know...you don't have to have a blog or anything like that...just be willing to put some love in a box and ship it to someone...we would each have one name and could come up with a reasonable $ to spend. I would love to have each of you participate...just leave me a comment or send me an email. :)
This is what our sky looks like today...it's not a black and white photo. :(