Two Years Old!!

My Finley turned 2 years old last Wednesday… I can’t believe it!  He’s officially not a baby anymore (sniff sniff).  We were able to celebrate his birthday at Chuck E Cheese this weekend.  My kids alone made up over half of the kiddos at his party!!  Geez, I feel old (bigger sniff sniff).  Enough of my rambling, here are a few pics of the the birthday shirt that I made for Finn.  I think it turned out super cute, but then I’m a bit partial as I did make it!

The front of the shirt has a hand appliqued balloon with a 2 on it.  The black ric rac used for the the string leads to…

the back of the shirt where a little Finley is holding it in his hand. :)

Here we are at Chuck E Cheese.  He isn’t too sure about the giant mouse trying to talk to him while he’s eating his pizza.

He’s much happier playing with his big brother’s Thomas the Train at home.  It was a fabulous day. :)

Linking up Here:

Celebrating Nolen Bradford Chandler

It has been almost 2 months since little Nolen Bradford Chandler made his entrance into this world.  He was welcomed by the strongest, most loving arms a child could ever desire.  (Being a parent myself, I don't make this statement lightly.)  For a reason we may never know, God gave Nolen his wings just one short week after he was born.  His little body was not strong enough to overcome ARPKD (Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease) or PKD for short.  I have traveled this rocky journey (sometimes from afar) with my dear friends, Josh, Rebecca, Caleblee, and Havanna. 

I dare not even try to understand the emptiness in their hearts, the ache in their arms where sweet Nolen should be sleeping, or their broken dreams.  He wasn't even my baby, but not a day goes by that I don't think of him.... his little hands and fingers, his dark hair, his sweet lips... and I scream in my head, "It's NOT FAIR!!"  No parent should ever have to bury a child.

I will never forget the look on Josh's face as he carried his baby's casket down the ramp from the funeral home to the hurse.  He looked back at Rebecca with tears streaming down his face, so vulnerable, so helpless, with an anguish in his eyes that pleaded to heaven, "Why didn't you take me instead?".  At times, this memory wakes me from my sleep with a start.... and I take a moment to truly thank God for my healthy children.

Today, I write this in celebration of Nolen's life and to remember with happiness.  To read more about Josh and Rebecca's story, please read their online journal.  Beverly Williams of Chuck Williams Photography arranged a beautiful slideshow of Nolen's birth and graciously captured all of these beautiful memories.

The PKD Foundation is sponsoring a walk in Atlanta on November 13, 2010 to raise money for further research and to prevent any other parent from experiencing the nightmare that Josh and Rebecca have lived.  To learn more about walking in memory of Nolen or supporting Nolen's team, please contact jbcbec199@yahoo.com. 

I Love You Josh and Rebecca!!

Joys of Life

Just a quick blurb about my kiddos today!  Here is Emily at her 2nd competition of the season.  Her favorite event is bars and she just looks soooo darn sweet performing her routine. (:

Here is little Finley sporting his "go Emily" shirt.  It was such a pretty day, I let the boys run around outside between events.

Sweet Max watching Finley run around... not too happy about his "go Emily" shirt...  I know I'm wrong for making him wear it, but none of his friends saw!!

Lively Jack THOROUGHLY enjoying the chance to get outside and run, run, run!!  I think this kid would live outside if I let him.

Go and show someone special in your life how much they mean to you today!!

Did Someone Say Summer??

What better colors to celebrate the beautiful weather as of late than PINK and GREEN!!!  I absolutely love these hues together this time of the year.  It makes me smile a giggly girly smile with sparkles in my eyes.

How time continues to pass without consulting me!!  I have been sewing just a tish over the past few weeks... a little bag here, a little embroidery there.... just enough to keep my whistler wet.  This gym bag was a present for my daughter's gymnastics coach to show her just how much we love her!!  I think she definitely felt the love. :)

Peace and Love

If you know me, you know how much I LOVE the Peace Symbol!! My sister got me hooked and I just can't go back to life without it... :) I came up with this cute "mom" shirt to support my daughter at her gymnastics meets. I used two of Becca's reverse applique designs from her Planet Applique website. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE her designs!!

Peace and Love

Long Time No Post

I have taken a temporary hiatus from blogging and creating..... for four reasons:

My dear friend, Karen, of Picturelily Photography took this beautiful picture when Finley was only a week old!!

I have definitely needed some time with each one of these little miracles and have enjoyed each and every minute with them. Sometimes life gets crazy if you let it....

I have been sewing again the past couple of weeks and will be posting some new creations soon!!

Happy 2010 to all of my wonderful blogger friends and customers!! I can't believe that Liberty Original has taken off so quickly. I have been busy busy busy trying to keep up with orders and not taking the time to blog. I supposed that is the way it should be! I am also busy coming up with new ideas and products for the spring. There are so many beautiful fabrics out there to make beautiful projects!


Here is a purse made from Art Gallery Fabric's Purple Moorish Blooms in their Alahambra II line. I LOVE the colors in this fabric! Also, a huge congratulations to all of the cozy winners... I am just now able to start on those. Thank you for being so patient with me. I am now only accepting 2 orders per week to make sure I can have a quicker turnaround time. :)

Liberty Original Coffee Cozies are now being sold at Seabel's Gourmet Food Shop in Pueblo, Colorado!! How exciting!! Here are a few custom orders for Mary, co-owner of Seabel's. They have some fabulous things there.... I left with several bags of goodies!

So, once again I am off to create fabulous originals for all of my fabulous customers. You guys rock!!

xxoo

Christmastime ALREADY?

Seriously??!? Are we less than 2 weeks away from Christmas? I am desperately trying to enjoy my family whilst getting all of these orders out. EEEEEK!!

Smooches and love to all and thank you to all of my customers for being so patient with me.

I am extremely excited to announce that Liberty Original coffee cozies are now being sold at Seabel's Gourmet Food in Pueblo, Colorado. :)) Woo Hoo!

I am off to get the rest of YOUR orders completed.

xxoo

SORRY!

Many apologies for falling off the face of the earth. It never fails that someone in my immediate family will get the stomach blah's when we visit my sister. The baby starting throwing up Wednesday before Thanksgiving, my daughter the night before we flew home, the baby 10 minutes before we boarded our plane.... did that sink in?! Why yes, I had to fly home wearing clothes soaked in regurgitated pediasure... not one of my favorite smells in life. I was able to quickly purchase a shirt to change into, but had to keep the wet bra, jeans, and panties on...

Oh, I almost forgot... my 3 year old starting throwing up the day after we got home and my 9 year old 3 days after that. I have never been so thankful for alcohol hand sanitizer in ALL my life!

So, promises for a real post and a picture by the end of the weekend.

Muah!!

Giveaways Galore!!!

If you didn't win one of my cozies at Midday Escapades, you can still try to win 2 over at Dang Gina Gives!!! Gina just started the giveaway this morning and it will run for one week!



Super short post today, but I am posting from COLORADO and having a wonderful time with my sister and her family. I have more exciting news but I will wait until I have a picture to post as well. :))