Happy Halloween

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The sweet pea winner!

Finally.....the winner did respond!! CONGRATULATIONS to you andrea!!!! And this is the hat of her choice---sorry Sharon---and yes, the donkey scene is very fitting---and for all your posts and persistence, I'm going to give YOU Sharon any item of your choice (excluding baskets ;-). I'm just thrilled for a winner to finally claim their prize!! So, Sharon, just leave me a comment and let me know what you would like as well. I'm getting ready to go out of town this weekend, so, your item won't arrive for about two weeks, but it will be worth the wait!!

P.S. Andrea, I just need to know what size you would like. And, this is the hat you wanted, right?

Third time's the charm!

Well, when I decided to do a birthday giveaway, I had no idea it was so hard to actually give things away!! After two winners of not responding, I just went to random.org and it calculated yet another "winning" number for me. Drum roll please.......................................... and the next winner is comment number four-----Andrea. So please, Andrea, if you are out there, please, contact me so I can finally just give something away! Is this pathetic or what. If she doesn't respond within 3 days I'm going to pick someone myself and maybe have better luck!

I've been crazy busy with orders this week. Literally 27 items over the past week so I'm having a hard time just sitting down to post. Hope you all have a great day today!!

Sandy?

Ok Sandy, where are you? Please respond today so I don't have to pick another winner. I had no idea this give away stuff was so hard!!

and the NEW winner is....

Well, since I didn't hear from Justerika yet, and it's after noon, I went ahead and picked a new winner---sorry Justerika. And, would you believe the random number chosen again from random.org was Justerika. So, I went ahead and calculated ANOTHER number and the NEW winner is.....Sandy. So, CONGRATULATIONS you Sandy! Now, you just have to e-mail me within the next three days to claim your prize----PLEASE respond so I don't have to pick another winner ;-)

Winner???

Ok....the winner has until noon today to contact me for her prize. If I don't hear from her, I'm going to select a new winner......

And the winner is......

(I used the website random.org to find my winner).

Ok.....and the winner is.....comment number 10!!!

Congratulations to justerika!!! I just need you to tell me which item you would like and the address to mail it to. My e-mail is merkelstacey@hotmail.com and you must respond within the next 3 days!!!

Thank you all so much again for all your wonderful comments---I LOVED reading them all and had so much fun with this contest. I'll be sure to let you know what justerkia choose as her free item. Now, back to work....I've had a TON of orders over the past few days ;-)

Final Birthday post

Well, after being "upset" with hubby for most of the day, he did redeem himself---with a little help from my friend, Christa. She just couldn't help herself and she had to call him at work to remind him of my big day. He played it off and said he didn't forget and that he usually brings me a card and treat after he gets home from work---he said "don't worry, she'll be taken care of" Christa was lead to believe he knew all along. Needless to say, he left work early to purchase a card, flowers, and a BEAUTIFUL ruby necklace---so of course, I was totally overwhelmed--I LOVE jewelry, and he's the kind of man who doesn't think it is "necessary" Then, we did go have my birthday dinner at the mexican restraunt with our good friends--from motivating mommies---and they even treated! So, what a wonderful birthday after all!! I Love you Joe!! And, thank you Christa!

I also did receive a beautiful birthday bouquet and balloons (for the kids) from my wonderful Aunt---who I often post about---thank you again!

And, thanks to everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes---I sooo appreciated ALL of them---and later this afternoon, I'll post the winner to the giveaway, so if you haven't entered yet, you still have time!!!

P.S. My husband doesn't EVER read my blog, but Christa told him that I blogged about his rather large goof, and he was a good sport about it ;-) although he wasn't so happy that "people in New Zealand" knew of it--ha ha ha

Birthday update!

Ok---so it's now 3:00 and he still hasn't said a word...I did talk to him twice today. Once he called and asked me if it would be ok if he could go to his Uncles house to help him with putting in some insulation--which is really legit AND he called back to ask what was for dinner (I'm laughing now about that one) He said, "let's have something with pasta in it". I guess I'll leave out a box of mac and cheese and the kids and I are going out to eat Mexican (where I go every year for my b-day) after Josie's swim lesson at the Y. Too funny!!

Happy Birthday Give Away

In honor of my 30 something birthday today, I'd like to give YOU a gift. Want to know how? Well....just leave me a happy birthday comment and you'll be entered into a drawing to win one free knitty bitty apparel item of your choice (excludes baskets---sorry). If you post about my birthday give away on your blog and send me the link, I'll give you an extra chance to win. Contest will run until I post the winner tomorrow. So, browse my Etsy shop because the winner could be YOU!

Ok, just one more thing I have to mention. My husband actually forgot my birthday today---he's left for work and not said a word. Now honestly, I'm NOT upset at all....we usually don't make a big deal about birthdays, but I think he'll realize when he gets to work what the date is. I think it's kinda funny and I wonder how long it will take him to realize it. I'll keep you posted.

I'm finally back!

I'm finally going to post again. Did you miss me? I've been back from the wedding, and I don't know why, but I just didn't sit down to post over the past week. Maybe a lack of things to say, I don't know. And, believe it or not, I didn't ready anyone else's blog either---sorry!!! I know, that's bad...and I'm going to try really hard to get caught up on everyone. I'm sure I missed a ton over the past week.

The wedding did go really well and her is a pic of my little flower girl. She is quite the professional now---this was her fourth one---and she's not even four yet. My husband and I joke that we can rent her out ;-)

And, last night, we made a Halloween house with the kids. Have you ever seen them in the stores? They tease you with these amazing looking houses decorated with icing and candies and I know they are done by professionals who have probably made at least 20 of them and have skills beyond the normal person so yours will not look remotely like the picture of the box, but the kids love them!

I'm on vacation.....again!

I'm getting ready to go out of town for another wedding this weekend---and yes, Josie is going to be a flower girl again! I have to make her basket tonight and we'll head out in the morning. I'm just so excited to see all my family from out of town!

And, look what arrived today.....YES....it's my new bracelet from Mana Moon Treasures and it is absolutely gorgeous!! Not only is the bracelet amazing, but the packaging made it such a treat to open. The handmade cards were so cute and all the tags were just so....so professional. This really belongs in a high end boutique...you know the kind I'm talking about...with the REALLY good stuff in it---that you don't dare take your kids into ;-)

I put it on immediately and went out to lunch with a friend today and she loved it too. It is truly going to be an heirloom piece. It's just stunning....really....you have to see it to appreciate it! Thank you a million times Sharon----I LOVE it!!!

Custom hat Part 2

Hot off the needles is the custom hat requested by Susan---see post below. I love the way it turned out----I only wish I had a 6 month old to try it on. I'm dying to see what it actually looks like on!! Maybe she'll send me a picture (hint hint)

And, did you all notice my new blogger banner? It's in my Etsy shop too. I just love it---very festive. I bet you want on too? Want to know where to buy one....well, just click here. Sharon is absolutely amazing with her designs, and she loves custom orders as well.

Just one more thing---I've been tagged AGAIN!! I'm embarrassed to say, I have yet to respond to my first tag, sorry Sharon, and now Rosie of agapanthas and goldsworthy has tagged me again. So....I really need to get on the ball....and I will.......

Custom hat AND contest winner!

Isn't this just the cutest looking baby---and hat! A former customer (Susan) recently contacted me to see if I could make this hat for her....sure I said! Well, we scoured the internet and craft stores in search of the most similar yarn we could find....and Susan actually found it. I've never seen a yarn like this before. It is sooo much fun to work with---it stripes and patterns all by itself---no patterns or yarn changes needed---it's MAGIC! Here is is below.

And, here is what I've come up with so far. She wanted the brim and ear flaps to be orange and blue. So, I still have to add the ear flaps and ties and the pom pom on top....but so far so good.... I just hope Susan like it :-)

Of course, I did have to get some for myself for Josie and Quentin.

Also, remember that contest from a few days ago from Mana Moon Studios---the one I hope you all checked out...well, she announced the winner last night, and guess who it was.....drum roll please.....ME!!! Can you believe it? I really had to read the post twice----I was shocked! I never win anything, and to receive such a gift, I'm just thrilled to say the least. Plus, getting my package from Australia this week too---I'll tell you, I'm just on cloud nine!! Whatever did I do to deserve such treasurers this week?

Here is the bracelet I chose from her shop. Don't you just love it? Do you want one too? Here's her etsy store....get shopping!Thank you again---my friend Sharon!

Sweet Baby Girl

I'd say this has to be the sweetest set I've sent out so far. A customer requested this set and I created the bracelet to go with it. It's for a newborn little girl, and I think it is going to be so cute on her. I'd love to see a picture --hint hint ;-)

I love this little bracelet too. What could be more girly than pink crystals, pearls, and a little flower charm. I think I'm going to add it to my Etsy shop---are you interested?

My Special Delivery from Down Under

I was sooo surprised today with a very special package from Australia!! It was from my new friend Rosey from agapanthas and goldsworthy How sweet is that---a "just because package". I have never received such a package and just love the idea! It included lots of goodies: a special note and drawing from her girls, a wonderful hand written note from Rosey, little painted rocks for myself and both the kids, a treat for both kids, a sweet little pressed lavender flower---(which smelled really good), a new crafters magazine, and two lovely hand stitched softies. I just LOVE it all---so very thoughtful and personal---I can't thank you enough---I'm so very touched! Kisses to you ALL---Rosey, Lili, Mia, and Claudia!!

Here are all our new treasurers!

Here are the handstitched softies---soo sweet!

The picture doesn't do it justice---it is full of little details.

I'll hang them somewhere special to remind me of you ;-)

Josie absolutely LOVES her new barbie fairy which she named Melissa and has worn her new ring all day today!

And, finally, here is Quen with his new batman---he says thank you too ;-)

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you again!!!