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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

How To Tuesday - Chocolate!

I fully intended on sharing a pattern today but with orders pending, my sewing area (aka my kitchen table...) was not in any shape for me to start another project. So this How To Tuesday is going to be a baking day!

A friend posted this fabulous looking recipe on her blog a while back and I have been dying to try it! But I didn't have any M&Ms.... or yellow cake mix.... or the desire to go to the store... 
So I improvised - which happens to be my favorite thing while cooking or baking! I get it from my dad... only I don't substitute frozen fruit punch concentrate for butter in chocolate chip cookies or left over macaroni salad (with pickles) on pizza....

As I said, I didn't have any yellow cake mix or M&M but I did have Devil's Food Cake and peanut butter. Umm yummmm! 


1 box of Devil's Food Cake (I'm a big fan of the Moist Supreme... and not just because it was on sale for $0.99... must be the cup of pudding in every box...)
1/2 melted butter (I used margarine because I only keep butter in the house during Christmas cookie baking season)
2 eggs
peanut butter (or hersey's kisses or peanut butter cups or what ever you want)
powdered sugar (optional)

*mix cake mix, butter, and eggs
*roll into 1 inch balls
*roll ball in powdered sugar (optional) and place on baking sheet
*using the end of a wooden spoon or your thumb, create space for peanut butter (or candy of choice)
*add peanut butter
*bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes (don't over cook!)


Yummy, easy, cheap, and chocolate! What more could you ask for??? Unless you are my daughter... apparently she doesn't care for chocolate cookies.... 

Monday, September 27, 2010

Custom Baby Shower Bundles

And we're back after a weekend of migraines....

Friday I posted a sneak peek of a baby shower bundle.... soooo here's the rest! 


This bundle was for a good friend of mine who happens to have a mild obsession with burlap.... which she has passed on to me.... She had me make her a burlap tote bag once and I've been hooked ever since! So I obviously had to use burlap somewhere in her gift. I went with the bag. The bag is burlap and camo (what little boy doesn't need a little camo in his life??) and can be used for just about anything. 

Inside was the following:
Camo Lovey Bear
(he does not photograph well, unfortunately)

Monkey Earflap Hat in Tweed & Taupe

Tweed & Taupe Boots
(We're going to call these the "Greyson" boots in our catalogue in honor of little Greyson Michael)

Little Man Onesie in Brown Floral

What your own custom baby shower bundle? Email sweet_ps07@yahoo.com for a consultation! 

Happy Monday!
<3

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Sneak Peek

Sneak peek of my new favorite booties to make...


Really?? Does it get any cuter than that?!? And they're not even finished! Check back Saturday for a look at the finished product along with all the other goodies in this baby boy bundle!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Item of the Week Wednesday - Pumpkins

Item of the Week - September 22-29
Free Pumpkin 
value $8

with the purchase of any of the following:

* 3 Pumpkins - $20 - measures between 4-5 inches in diameter



* Pumpkin Trick or Treat Basket - $22 - measures 10-12 inches in diameter and is reenforced with wire.


* Cutest Little Pumpkin Hat - $20 - available in baby to adult sizes


Email orders to sweet_ps07@yahoo.com




Tuesday, September 21, 2010

How To Tuesday

There was a time when Tuesday was my favorite day of the week! During college, I had a 3 hour lunch on Tuesday (yay!) and I got to hang out with a good friend and eat good food (Iguanas! My favorite!). When I was teaching, Tuesday was the only day of the week when I had more than 20 minute break. Now.... I hate Tuesdays! 

Okay... maybe "hate" is too strong of a word.... I dislike Tuesdays... a lot! When my husband went back to work, I took over his eBay business and Tuesday happens to be the day he picked for me to ship. That means my morning is filled with addressing and packaging items purchased while trying to contain my very active 1 year old. We then pack up the car or stroller and head out to the post office where we wait in line for what seems like eternity (while still trying to contain my very, very active 1 year old...). Since the post office and grocery store are right next to each other, we head to the store to do our weekly shopping. Child is now contained with a bagel! After shopping, we go home and I try to get all groceries and baby from our parking lot to our condo (which is not right next to the parking lot!) in one trip. I figure since I already dislike Tuesdays, I might as well do everything else I dislike (change bedding, vacuum, dust, steam clean floor, laundry) just so I don't have to ruin another day of the week! 

Soooo I decided last week that I was going to add something fun to Tuesdays! Every Tuesday I will be making something easy and sharing how you can do it yourself. Today I altered a pair of jeans I bought on clearance last week.  
I found these jeans at Old Navy last week for $4.19. 


They weren't my size exactly but I really couldn't turn them down at that price! They were a size too big and two sizes too short (I usually wear 'long' and these were 'short'). Remember that as long as the rise fits you correctly, you can alter the rest. 

First thing to do was fix the length. Since the were too short, I cut a few inches off the bottom and hemmed them to make them a long capri. I wasn't fond of how they flared (they were originally bootcut) so I did take them in a bit to make them straight-legged.

Tip for hemming: Unless you don't really care where your hem hits, Have someone else mark your hem while you stand straight. If you bend down to mark your hem, it will not end up where you want it!

I left the waist how it was for now because I can wear a belt but I will probably take it in soon. I am just going to take the side seams in a bit with a basic stitch on my machine. Nothing fancy.

I normally like my jeans plain but I wanted to add some things to make them more interesting (and this "How To" longer....) I busted out my BeDazzler! That's right... a BeDazzler! 


My mom gave this to me not long ago and I haven't really gotten to use it yet... until now! I went with studs over rhinestones and started BeDazzling my little heart out!

I was tempted to cover the entire pocket with studs but I was pretty sure I didn't have enough studs to do that. So I went with a design instead. Here how my new BeDazzled back pockets turned out:


Tips for BeDazzling: Draw a line shape of what you want so that you have a pattern to follow. If you have two sides that need to be identical (ie pockets...) make yourself a template so you can transfer from one side to the other. If you are going to the edge of a pocket, the BeDazzler will not fit. Not to fear! You can still get your bling to the edge! Just push the jewel or stud into the spot you want, hold it in place while you turn the pocket, and carefully, with a small tool (pen... flat head screw driver... I used my nail... ) bend down the grips. 

Happy altering!

<3

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Item of the Week Thursday

"Item of the Week Wednesday" sounds better but I missed the boat yesterday.... Item of the week will (from next week on) appear on Wednesday and have a special discount for the week. Make sure to check in every Wednesday!

Item of the Week - September 16-22 ~ Brand New Item! FREE SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM THIS WEEK ONLY




Monkey Earflap Hat -$22
Monkey Earflap Hat with Flower - $25
Available in colors of your choice. Shown in Baby Blue with Taupe edging and Crimson rose. Choose solid or striped.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Shopping!

I happen to have a love/hate relationship with shopping... I know, I know... What's not to love about shopping??? My problem has always seemed to be that I go shopping with something in mind and then I can never find things that fit that mental image I have (or my budget... or size...). It has been quite a long time since I actually bought myself clothing for a number of reasons. 
1) I was trying desperately to lose post-pregnancy weight. So frustrating! I honestly thought when I had my baby 15+ months ago that I would have the weight off by the time she turned one. No such luck.... I injured my knee a couple months into getting back into a workout routine. Ouch! After my knee healed, my migraines started up again. I just can't win! But now I can say I am 5 lbs. under my pre-pregnancy weight! It's just distributed slightly different.
2) I know what I want but I can't find it in stores. This has always happened to me! I have this vision in my head and it just doesn't look right when I try it on in the stores! 
3) I'm on a very tight budget! When I got pregnant, my husband and I decided we would be a one income family so that I could stay home with the baby. I could have gone back to work and known my baby was in good hand because my mom and MIL would have been the ones taking care of her. But I am a firm believer that since I am the one who decided to bring a child into this world, I should be the one raising her (since we are fortunate enough to make that possible). So here we are... a single income family... on a very tight budget! And it's all possible because my husband is amazing and quite frankly, a financial genius! He does not make a lot of money at all! Yet he is so fabulous at budgeting that we are able to get by with cars paid in full, a house with a low mortgage,  and no debt. Heck, he even manages to put money in savings each month! And yes, I am now bragging about how great my husband is! But seriously... I am very blessed to have such a financially wise spouse. 

ANYWAY...

Reasons aside, I really needed some new clothes... Ones that were not stained with things previously on my daughter's little hands or torn from being pulled on or full of holes from being worn out... So I have been going shopping at least once a week to see what I could find. And up until today, this is what I had found:

NOTHING!

So sad... I know... Until today! I went to Old Navy of all places! And here is what I found:
One pair of jeans, two tops, two necklaces, a bracelet, and a pair of flip flops. For a grand total price of $13.38!!! That's right folks... less than $15! And here is how...
I shopped clearance for what I saw the clothes could be, instead of what they were. Everything I bought has something about it that I will have to add, subtract, or alter (minus the flip flops... I like them the way they are!) And it's really not going to be as much work as you think. I will be posting on the changes (along with a how-to) on each item as I alter them. Stay tuned!

<3

Monday, September 13, 2010

Monday? Already?

Ever have one of those days where you have TONS to do but can't seem to move faster than a crawl? Umm... yeah.... that would be today! We been up since 6 o'clock, yet all that has been accomplished is breakfast, shower, walk, and play time.... well, that, and Isabella is already down for a nap... My house is a disaster! I have orders to finish, a catalogue to work on, baby shower gifts to get ready, samples to make, grocery shopping to do, a baby girl to play with.... I took one look around this morning I got so overwhelmed that I ended up here, in a this chair, reading this verse: 

"Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." - James 5:11

Not a bad place to be! Steadfast - a firmly fixed place. immovable. not subject to change. firm in belief, determination, or adherence. loyal. I think "steadfast" will be my word of the day! 

With that bit of motivation, off I go... I've got some camo and burlap that needs my attention! 


<3

Friday, September 10, 2010

Well Hello Pumpkin!

I have to say, I love Summer! So much that I never want it to end! I love Fall, too but only after I've entered in (kicking and screaming, I might add) and I see the beautiful colors and feel the crisp autumn air. And see all the pumpkins! 

This year, I've been fighting the end of summer even more than past year because we had such terrible weather. Give me a good old summer of 90's to 100's and I'm a happy girl. I did NOT enjoy waking up to overcast and 50's and having to put my baby in pants, sweaters, and beanies instead of her cute summer clothes.... I've waited months for the hot, beach-going weather my husband promised me in May.... And while I hate to do it, yesterday I faced the inevitable and accepted the coming of Fall. I dug out my Fall decor, made some tea, and got to work. Red Heart has beautiful autumn color yarns! I got some burlap for a new, festive table runner and throw pillow. And of course, we have to have pumpkins! I absolutely love pumpkins!

Here are some of the new, pumpkin items available at Sweet P's! Please email orders to sweet_ps07@yahoo.com

Pumpkin Baby - $12 - About 8 inches in size (perfect size for your little one to hold!) Also available - Red Apple Baby, Green Apple Baby, & Acorn Baby

Pumpkin Trick or Treat Bag - $18 - Reenforced bottom. Wire throughout to help keep shape. The middle of the pumpkin is about 10+ inches in diameter (it stretches). The top opening is about 6 inches in diameter. Stands about 6 inches. All measurements are approximations. Available dressed up with an organza flower for an additional $3. 

Mini Pumpkins - $8 for 1, $14 for 2, $20 for 3. About 4-5 inches in diameter, these little pumpkins are the perfect size to add a touch of fall to any place in your house. 

Cutest Lil' Pumpkin Hat - $20 - Cozy and festive, this little hat is the perfect accessory for your favorite little pumpkin! Or for yourself! Available in all sizes from infant to adult.

ps.... is it sad that it took me 10 minutes of trying to figure out the html to add a picture before I realized that I could use the little "Add Image" icon??

<3

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Let Me Introduce Myself...

Seems like everyone has a blog these days... even my husband has a blog! <---- (I set it up for him myself so he would stop offending people on facebook with his political opinions). So I figured it was high time to start blogging myself! I actually set up this blog a few months ago but I could find a background that I was happy with (shallow, right?). I'm still not thrilled with the current background, ps, but oh well...

Allow me to introduce myself.... 

I am...
a wife
a mother
a teacher
an artist
a child of God
a daughter
a sister
a friend
a dreamer
and one of the co-founders of Sweet P's... which is the purpose of this blog :)

Sweet P's was an idea hatched by my mom, my sister, and myself. In 2007, my mom begged my dad for an embroidery machine. My dad eventually gave in and Sweet P's was born. We started out with custom embroidery burp cloths, bibs, and receiving blankets. In 2009, I had a beautiful baby girl and decided I just couldn't leave her for 50-60 hours a week to teach. I started expanding Sweet P's with a line of crocheted items, hoping I could get enough business to not have to go back to teaching. Unfortunately, I did not get enough business but I did, however, find something I absolutely LOVE to do! I've designed quite a few lines since last fall and Sweet P's has gone from a business offering three embroidered items to a company with actual lines with over a hundred and fifty original designs and custom items! 

I realized recently that while I love the designing and creating portion of running a business there is more that I have to do. There are so many roles to play and I have to say, PR has not been my strong point... hence the blog... :) But I am determined to do better! For me (because I love what I do!), for my husband (because I don't want all of the financial burden to be on him), and of course for my daughter (because I want her to grow up with her mommy at home).  

My goal is to write at least three entries a week *crossing fingers*. Pictures will be posted of course! :) You can check out some of our things on our facebook fan page. Not all of our items are on our fan page as I am currently working on organizing. I have the spreadsheet finished, catalogue 3/4 of the way done, so the fan page is next on the list! 

<3>