Creature Comforts

Our cozy bedroom.I feel in love with this window at a local thrift shop.And the birdies I added later.Pillow covers made by Momma Zo.But I'm def.looking for a color change soon in here.I'm up for suggestions...

My Mantle is always a work in progress.Still looking for more inspiration.

This is one of my all.time.favorite.picutres.ever.It sits on my nightstand.My SIL took this picture on her wedding day.I stepped aside for a moment to feed Bay & she told me then that she looked over and NEEDED to take this.I'm so thankful she did.Sometimes this picture makes me cry.happy tears.

This simply sums it up of my mom.And I am forever grateful.Hangs in my sewing room.

Sam & I have a ton of fun with this.It sits on our dresser,in our room.Messages range depending on the mood.

Upcoming projects,new color palettes sit smiling back at me.

Momma's New Studio...Part One

This is a snapshot of my soon-to-be New Studio. Please excuse the mess.The OCD Neat Freak in me barely let me post this.But I wanted to document this process and the beauty in it.Sambo(aka the hubbs) is helping me create/ build a new work space in my sewing room.My SIL gave us her old kitchen cabinets and we are re working them to make a beautiful built-in office area in the closet space.Salvaging scraps and making them work,I love it!The rest of the room will be freed up to sewing and create beautiful things.Yay! So this is the beginning of the construction zone.Some of our materials include:

* SIL kitchen cabinets
* beaded board
* ply wood
* paint
Let the fun begin.....I'll giddy like a school girl.I'll keep you posted.For now,please don't judge my mess.Thank you

A Sneaky Peaky...

One of many long time dreams of mine is coming true.If you don't know,I Love to create,re-create,add too,embellish,ect.And this here beauty(logo) is all mine created by a dear friend of mine Veronica @ Good Luck Charm Designs...http://www.etsy.com/people/vburgess....Check her out.There really are NO WORDS for her talent.I'm so excited and a little overwhelmed here.I'm a mom,(Momma Zo)rather, and that will always come first.So trying to make this balance happen might take time,give me a little grace please.And lots of encouragement,I'm going to need it.Above is my Official Logo...Love.It.To.Death.She also created another version of the logo which I will use too.How can I not,right? The coolest thing about this process is not that I think I'm going to make millions off this handmade business but more so just be able to freely create things I love and bring them to the masses...Or a few friends at least.The banner was also created by Veronica and will hang in my sewing room for now.Love it! Love.Love.Love.Just wanted to share what is in store for 2012 for Momma Zo...It's going to be a great year,I can feel it.

Have you seen me?

This most amazing fixture belongs to me! If you somehow come across it (online @ Potterybarn.com *catalog/Internet special only*) Please return it to me immediately. It needs to come home. Just saying and that would conclude this public service announcement. Thank you!

Home for the Holli' days!

Here's some fun eye candy for you for Christmas decor. Some friends and I went wine tasting last weekend and I couldn't help myself at this one particular stop. I must have taken 20 pictures of their displays (without asking, I know, sooo bad). They were beautiful. Enjoy!

Crafty Ideas for your home

Love this idea above. Showing off your latest family members on this antique photo tree. I'm now on the hunt for one. For Christmas display maybe this year! Just love it's vintage vibe.

This would most def. be for the avid crafter in your home (which means me).lol Clever and practical. Love the mason jars too. Must do this asap for all my notions, buttons and such.

Changed up Inspiration

My inspiration boards got a little face lift. With some ever so trendy now Burlap. And I must say

I LOVE IT!

I even put up some pics that would inspire me.

Here's to change

Prototype

There was this yellow pillow that inspired me on this bag.So I went for it. Plus I love the way the pattern inside *POPS* with color compared to the white canvas outside. With a large magenta flower punch on the front, it screams fun all over it.

Want one???

Inspired

These are a few spots along cannery row I thought might be backdrops for our next family photo shoot. I'm going with a different look. Whacha think?

Motherless Mother

This picture caputures the infectious laugh Carys was born to share. It comes on slow and by the time she winds up it over takes me and I end up sharing in a good deep laugh with her. No matter how hard the day has been.

I heard the term 'motherless mother' the other day and it struck a cord with me. Not because I pity the person who fits this term but it rang true for me. And truth is simple. I AM a motherless mother. I am one who confides and seeks advice from many others. Other than my mom. She does not come visit after my children are born. She does not cook dinners for me when I'm sick and helpless. She does not chit chat with me and allow me to vent on my trials as a mom myself. She does not pick up the phone. Let alone have a direct line. Her voice is quiet. Sometimes out of reach. I ache for her gently hug and kiss on my forehead letting me now this too shall pass and everything, everything will be ok. She does not come from afar for long visits, pedicures and shopping adventures with me. She does not feel the warmth of her granddaughters hugs or laughter. As much as she is missing, I am longing for her. For just 5 minutes of her time. Only if that were possible. My journey as a mom is forever changed. Altered. I have yet to met one person who understands this place in life.

Yet I almost don't want to met someone in my shoes. Who feels this loneliness like me. Without a mother. I understand I am not who I would be with her. But I do know how wonderfully made I am, through Jesus, without her. He has transformed the person I used to be, while her daughter in life, for something bigger for my girls than I could ever imagine. So while days come and go, I still miss her. Mostly her voice and smell. I know I am a better mom because she was once here. Through her death, I enjoy these two beauties you see here. Thank you mom.

Score!

She was salvaged from Goodwill. For 50$. Solid wood. Beauty! I'm choosing the color as I type. Great bone structure. Can't wait for the BIG reveal. Wait and see.

Hair Bow Holder

Made these from White canvas. Paint. Ric Rac. Staple Gun. Modge Podge. Fabric.

Quick.

Easy. Fun.

Enjoy!

Cowgirl Up

Amber invited me to do a small craft event here locally this past weekend. Amber (aka one of my BFer's) is beyooooond talented. Way more detail orientated than let's say myself. And she busted out with some of the cutest western stuff yet. Here are some pic's of what it looked like. I think I sold one towel. But hey, at least one was sold right? heehee She def. played to the crowd of cowgirls, lesson learned for me. It was fun in the end. And this might be the start of something a-maz-ing...Stay tuned.

Coming together

I am enjoying the process of finding perfect little treasures for my home these days. And this window was just another piece to the puzzle of comfort. I love old windows. And I was thinking the other day... Why do I like them so much? I think I often wonder who looked through this window at a time? What room did it frame? Who lived there? Was is a mom like me at her kitchen window washing dishes, day after day? Or was it 2 little girls watching and waiting for the rain to stop, just to catch a glimpse of a rainbow right outside their window? The intrigue of it all and the old rough around the edges look and feel gets me every time. The color on this beauty wasn't too bad either. So I enjoy this piece everyday now. It just fits.

Burlap, what to do with it you ask?

One of my BFF's gave me a little tutorial on how to make these beauties. Very quick and easy and they can be used for a ton of things. Place them on pillows, make hair flowers with them, you name it. For now they sit on my mantle until I have some more free time to whip some more up. I'm thinking pillows too Am!

Ruffles Ruffles Ruffles

These ruffles are everywhere right now. And so fun to embellish with onto anything really. Dish towels, onesies, tank tops, you name it. So I made this Springtime beauty the other day to liven up the place. More ruffle ideas HERE! Happy Friday!

Vintage

Scored this vintage heating vent in Pasadena awhile ago. Haven't found a home for it quite yet but it sure does frame this orchid by our bed just right for the moment.

Retreat Weekend

Over the weekend, Amber and I embarked on a women's retreat in Murietta, CA with Reality Carpineria. What a well needed and refreshing time I tell you. The weather was A.MAZ.ING. And the company wasn't too bad either.heehee. I tagged along with a great friend of mine and her church. A couple years ago I ventured out to this same retreat and it rocked my world. So she so kindly informed me of this one coming up and I was in. And I even got an extra surprise when one of my BFF's (really one of my sisters) decided to come with. Great time. Amazing workshops, speakers, the message, everything. We really enjoyed every moment. Am and I even did a little day out in Temecula which is about 10 minutes away. Wine tasting, Olive Oil and vinegar tasting, cheese tasting and shopping too boot. Did I mention I was kid-less for 3 whole days too? Sam man'd down the fort here with the girls. A couple stories from home consisted of Sam putting the girls to bed because (and I quote) 'The kids are done and so am I.' And then he tried to watch a baseball game with them and had to leave early because Carys threw a baseball at Bay's mouth, full force. Gushing bleeding, the whole nine. And then I think what was the funniest, to me at least, was he took them to the park and Carys comes running over, holding her butt saying ' I gotta go or I'm gonna poop in the trash can'. He got a lil taste. But he was a trooper. And I am very thankful for the time away. Mama's need that every now and then to keep the balance. I still feel like it was a dream. Much needed girl time and if there is an award for 'Best road tripper'.....drum roll please.... It would go to Amber. We laughed, cried and talked about everything under the sun. I just adore her and really cherish our friendship more than words. We even hit the Natural Hot springs twice. Stayed up til midnight or 1am both nights. I can't even say enough how much it was needed. Back to reality, well, my reality that is, refreshed and renewed about the true heart of God toward me. Can't wait til next time!

Work to do

Above are some covered button hair ties that I made the other day. I wanted 'sparkle' so I adorned them with swarvoroski crystals. I love them!

I got these....

To match this (shown above). Did you know Ikea sells fabric? By the yard? On an actual bolt? huh right? Betcha didn't. I am in love with birds these days. And this fabric hits the spot!

20 eye pillows ready to be filled with love and Lavender! Yum!

These fabric rosettes are all the rage right now in bloggy blogland. And I had to try em. Super easy and addictive. They can be used in all sorts of ways....Stay tuned for a couple I have up my sleeve.

And this little beauty. A scarp quilt I am 'attempting'. It uses up your scraps and I found the idea on someone's blog and thought YES! It's time consuming but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. I'm not a matcher so I like all the different variations in color. These are just some of the things lounging around my sewing room. I am such a procrastinator these days but with Spring break upon us, I just might get em done!