Traditions are Had, Memories are Made!

When I was a little girl around Christmas my mom would drag my brother and I to a half dozen stores looking for just the right candies. Gum drops big and small, Necco candies, the right colored M&Ms, red hots, candy canes..... we would spend a whole day just buying candy, and what sounds like every kids dream, we would get home and she would not let us eat any of it.

Then the smell of gingerbread began. For days she would make sheets and sheets of gingerbread cut with precision! Days of gingerbread baking and the best part, the gingerbread scraps right from the often. Then the sounds of the mixer making tons and tons of frosting, the glue that holds it all together.

The construction began. House after house, a precious assembly line. the candy all lined up in separate bowls. As my brother and I would try to sneak candy... "Get out of there"! Some years she would make 25 or more gingerbread houses. Some as gifts, some to be sold. Mom would load up two and take them to our school classrooms. Our house usually took stage as the centerpiece of the table and we couldn't touch it till Christmas day.

Finally Christmas day would come and along with the gifts we finally could devour the gingerbread house and eat as much candy as we liked.

This has lasted as a childhood memory and this year it all came full circle. My mom decided to have a day of gingerbread houses. Again, she spent days picking out the right candies, made mini houses and larger ones. Each grandchild could decorate one and each child my sister-n-law and I each got to try our had at a larger one. Wow, what a mess, but oh what fun. The kids did a wonderful job, even started a new tradition with adding a fire pit! The kids loved it all so much they are even thinking of ideas for next year's houses.

This time she told the kids, "Have as much candy as you want"! Wow how times have changed from a mom to a Grandma (Oma).

The day ended in lots of hugs and one big sugar high!

Can't wait till next year.

Missy

Some fabric combinations for childrens aprons

Some new fabric combinations...

We have been trying to put together some new fabric combinations for some kids aprons and decided to post the photos here. Feel free to add suggestions!

Hugs from Iowa

Missy

Finally something for the ladies!

We have been talking about it for awhile to get some women's aprons listed... Finally we got some! Mom has been hard at work and has put together three new ones. Both of the following aprons were also made for little girls and would be a super cute mother and daughter set.


Thanks to my friend Melissa for being my model. Doesn't she look super cute! She just started student teaching this week and will graduate next spring with a degree in elementary education. Lots of love to all those who educate our children! She is so good with my kids, I'd love to have her as my kids teacher!

So, I fell in love with an apron that I told mom she just had to make. This is it...

However... I found out in order to sell this wonderful apron by Sew Liberated we must first be approved than purchase a license. So for now, I think I must just keep this one for myself. (Thanks Mom!)

We also plan on doing our first giveaway. Planning on a child's apron maybe even a matching doll apron??? Suggestions?

Until then check these new ones out on our Etsy site! Happy weekend to you all, I think the babies are waking up from their morning naps. Love it when they wake up!

"There aren't enough days in the weekend." ~Rod Schmidt

Girl's sewing day!

Every year my mother-n-law (whom I love dearly), takes her son and her three oldest grandson's (9 yrs) on a boy's trip. This year they headed to Oklahoma City, my husband and son the cowboys loved every minute. They didn't get back till last night so the twins Natalie and Hailey, Gracie and myself decided to head to Oma and Papa's house for a sewing day.

I had an idea for a holiday "List Taker" and I needed to task my mom with some new aprons. If you haven't tried these or these you must either try them or head over to our Etsy store where we just listed some ready made ones. JCasa aka Jennifer has created these super fun projects and Jennifer has allowed those who purchase the pattern to sell the items. Super sweet! I don't know about you but the Holiday's get crazy and I have a million lists so we decided to make a holiday version.....

Then we decided to try JCasa's newest pattern the Child's coloring wallet. So much fun to take in the car, take to Church or to give as gifts. Gracie has a birthday party coming up to go to and i thought this would be such a fun gift!

The best part... spending time with my mom. Life gets so busy and I talk to her about 3-300 times a day but just spending the day in the sewing room with her and my three little girls is so much fun. Gracie loves to go through Oma's fabric stash and pick out her favorites. She found a purse and started loading up goodies to take home. Even though we had lots of toys for Natalie and Hailey to play with they still liked to play with the tape measures, pull fabric from the shelves and get into the baskets of yarn lying around. My mom has a super cool craft room customized by her husband, Ray. I'll tell her to take pictures for another post.

Mom and I also made some cute change purses however Mom learned from my mistakes and hers turned out perfect and mine... let's just say I won't put that one for sale on Etsy...ever! The fusible interfacing got the best of me.

To end our day, Gracie, Natalie, Hailey and I traveled home to find two of the most wonderful men in the world, my husband and son. They had a wonderful trip but were glad to be home. As I tucked my son into bed, I laid there with him asking about his trip. He told me about the Cowboy Museum, the stock yards, Toby Kieth's restaurant, eating too much food and getting sick, and then said, "I really missed you and the girls". He is turning into such a wonderful young man. Oh, I almost forgot Hailey took her first steps this weekend! Super cute with wobbly legs and all. They grow up so fast.

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."-- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

We love Pink Fig Patterns!

The Nie Nie benefit sale has been a great success. The last sale is Monday, the 29th at 7PM, PST. To read about this family is amazing their faith, strength and courage is remarkable and I think of them often. It has made me think of many things in a new light and they are teachers to us all. Continue to read Stephanie's sisters blog; http://blog.cjanerun.com/. She is an amazing writer and wonderful sister and continues to share the progress of the family during these times of both joy and sorrow. We continue to say prayers for them all.

My mom just made the most amazing set for Gracie. We got all of the Pink Fig Patterns (http://www.vintagechic.typepad.com/) and they are amazing. My mom just finished The Lily Top, The Bella Pants and The Girly Stripwork Skirt. Her patterns are very easy to follow and are so cute. Gracie loves the skirt and had to wear it to a birthday party tonight (three 4 yr olds getting their hair and nails done, followed by pizza, cake and ice cream). She used Heather Bailey's new line of fabric again, Pop Garden and Bijoux. I am working on the Lily Top and Bella pants and can't wait to finish. We will be listing these on Etsy so keep an eye out for them soon. Chelsea at Pink fig Patterns plans on releasing some new patterns soon including a cute jacket and vest which I can't wait to get my hands on. Here are a few photos...

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself." ~ Lucille Ball

Nie Nie Benefit Sale on Etsy

Go here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6167643

If you haven't heard already there is a benefit sale going on to benefit Stephanie and Christian Nielson. They were involved in a terrible plane crash that left them both severely burned. I have never met the Nielsons however had been reading the Nie Nie Dialogues which was not only profound but truly inspiring as a mom, wife, friend, woman, sister in general as a person. This sale among many others benefit the recovery of the Nielsons. This sale has been going on for two days and will continue 9/25 and 9/26/2008 at 1o am PST on Etsy. Type fast as this mornings sales all went in about 9 minutes. My mom and I donated a beautiful child's apron that should be listed either tomorrow or Friday. I also have a donation button to donate to this very worthy cause. God Bless.

Oh, almost forgot to post about that apron. Here is the apron that we donated to the Nie Nie Benefit which should go on sale tomorrow or Friday. Like I said Heather Bailey's new fabric line and child's apron = cute.

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." ~Mother Teresa

Updates from the Biz!

My mom has been sewing like crazy and we will be listing several new aprons in the next few days. I thought I would show a preview of the one just listed today. This one turned out so cute and this chef's hat is so much fun. We are working at making some baking accessories such as pot holders and hot pads. All in tune with the kitchen theme for now. We have lots more plans in the near future.
Heather Bailey's Pop Garden + apron = adorable!!!

We will also be listing some adult aprons too. Best of all we made our first sale. Lesley from http://www.erinoliviadesigns.etsy.com/ purchased the pink and brown retro apron. We are including a matching doll apron as a thank you for being the first to purchase an apron on Etsy. Check out her great patterns for crocheted items. My mom purchased the http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15145722 to make for the twins. No more bare feet, it's getting pretty chilly around here. Thanks so much to Lesley for her purchase and we hope her daughter enjoys her apron and matching doll apron as a Christmas gift.
Natalie and Hailey, "the twins", (is that bad that they are called that by everyone?) celebrated their 1st birthday on 8/29. We had so much fun and I will put a few pictures here soon. We made sure and sang Happy Birthday to each of them and man did they get so much stuff. My mom made these books...


and she made these bibs...


and we had so much fun watching the girls devour their individual cakes!

Don't forget to check out our Etsy listings;
http://www.lizzysbiz.etsy.com/

I want to finish with a quote after each blog. Some sweet, some funny, some even a little sad but always true. I thought I'd start with one about family, which is what means the most to me.

"Family means putting your arms around each other and being there." ~Barbara Bush

(Regardless of what political affiliation we may have, I believe this says it all!)


Melissa

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

You must check out this most amazing dress and blog!! It will be a favorite of yours too, I promise!

Our ETSY launch!!!

We did it, we put our first four aprons on Etsy with lots more to come. We plan to get some professional pics taken however my photographer who works and lives in Cedar Rapids, IA was flooded out this summer and is still looking for studio space. She is great, and I can't wait to share her talent. So here it is a few pics of our launch, please let us know what you think!!!

http://lizzysbiz.etsy.com

Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!

Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!

You must check this out, absolutly awesome!!!

Meet my mom "Oma" and twins Natalie and Hailey

Sooo... my husband talked me into having a third child which I was so excited to have another child. On our 20th week ultrasound (which my son also attended) the ultrasound lady said, "There's the heartbeat... and there's the other". My son replied, "The baby has two hearts?" So then comes Natalie and Hailey. They were born about 6 weeks early and were around 4 pds each. They came home after a few weeks in NICU strong as ever! I guess my mom is the reason for the twins, it seems her dad was a twin among another very long list of twins on her side of the family. The girls are fraternal and Natalie Marie and I share the same middle name and Hailey Elizabeth is of course named after my grandma "Lizzy". (My daughter Gracie's middle name is Diane after my mom).

The girls will turn one on 8/29/2008, my how a year can fly by. Someone said the first years with twins is a blur. I can second that! They are wonderful and I can't imagine life with out the two of them. They make us complete.

Natalie is a replica of her big brother, Wesley. She is pretty mellow and doesn't get too excited about much. She is soft hearted and is the brut of the two coming in now at 2 pds and 1 1/2 inches bigger than her little sister. Natalie was born 18 min before Hailey.

Hailey is the peanut, not my typical baby. My others are all very healthy with lots of rolls. Hailey is much smaller and petite with lots of curls coming through. She is feisty and very daring. She has a short temper but loves everyone. The big kids are wonderful with the girls and life is easier having their help.

Last but not least, this is the whiz behind the biz, my mom, Diane. (AKA Oma) She is the best mom anyone could ask for, a great friend, and even better grandma. She and my step-dad, Ray are the only ones brave enough to watch all 4 of my children over night and actually say they love it. Mom is an amazing seamstress, she loves to knit, crochet, weave baskets, makes unbelievable quilts and I believe can do about anything. She can't sit for more than a few minutes unless she is making something. I have to say she is a bit of a perfectionist, sometimes even anal. (sorry mom) She works at a fabric/sewing center in Cedar Rapids, IA.

You will here more about the whole clan and I may sneak my husband in too.

I just launched our Etsy biz today. Please check us out and keep coming back as we are having a child's apron giveaway soon

http://www.lizzysbiz.etsy.com/

Marvellous Mouse Designs: Fall Fabric Swap!

Marvellous Mouse Designs: Fall Fabric Swap!: "Your name
Your address
Your blog address (if you have one - no biggie if you don't)
Fabric colours, patterns, eras (i.e. the 1950s, 1970s) that you LIKE and DISLIKE
What you like to create (i.e. aprons, girl's / boy's clothing, bags)"

Meet my little Gracie!

SO...here is the middle child, second born Gracie Diane, named after my mom, Diane, aka Oma (means Grandma in German). She is 4 going on 18. We have always said she smiles with her whole face as you can see above. She has always lit up the room and there is no need to pay for entertainment when Gracie is around.

Gracie is the biggest farm girl diva you have ever seen. She would do farm chores 10 times a day if you let her in her cowboy boots and princess dress. She takes dance lessons, and loves to ride the horses. She has a favorite farm cat, Yellow. Bet you'd never guess what color he is. She can really melt your heart.

Gracie loves Taylor Swift. Gracie and I are going on a date on 08/08/2008 for dinner and a Taylor Swift concert. We are so excited. She starts pre-school this year, look out! She gives the best hugs and kisses and gives lots of them. She can really push her brother's nerves who actually has the patience of a saint. She treats her baby twin sisters as her own dolls and I'm sure will teach them many things. GOOD and BAD. UGH!

Oh how we love our Gracie... there is never a dull moment!

My First Born, Cowboy Wesley

This photo was taken about 4 years ago, but is one of my favorite photos of Wesley. It needs no words to describe the love for his horse "Wasp". Wasp made it to 28 and we just had to bury him about two months ago. We were all heartbroken especially Wes.

Wes is now 8, almost nine, will be in 3rd grade, loves to read like his dad, ride horses, play baseball, basketball, listen to music and is seriously the best big brother to three little sisters. He is an amazing boy and I am able to be a better mom because of him. He melts the hearts of everyone he meets. Can you tell I am so proud? He has recently started learning to sew, and recently on a trip to Oma's house, my mom, he made a book bag all by himself made of cowboy fabric. He received a wonderful cowboy quilt for his log bed this past Christmas and he adores it. See my Flickr photos for some pics.

Wesley has become quite a little rider and is currently training a small pony with his dad for his little sisters. He wears cowboy boots every day and doesn't believe in wearing shorts (Just like his dad).

I love to watch the joy in his face as he rides. I look forward to watching him grow to a young man. I must disagree on the song, "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys", because I love it!

Grandma's Apron

The History of Aprons. That beauty in the middle, with an apron, Grandma "Lizzy"

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears . From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes. Send this to those who would know, and love the story about Grandma's aprons.

REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

Reminds me of simpler times, oh how I long for those days in today's busy world. I so wish I could have been in that kitchen listening to those ladies laugh! Love you Grandma!

It would make Grandma smile

Oh how I loved Grandma Schell's smiles and hugs. Grandma (Elizabeth) was a good German lady who really knew how to hug. Grandma raised 6 girls however one passed on at a young age due to a terrible accident. She then lost her husband to a farming accident. Grandma moved from the farm to Bismarck, ND, remarried and raised her 5 girls. My mom, Diane was the baby of the family. Grandma taught her daughters to sew, knit, crochet, cook and so many other crafty things.

Grandma passed a way a few years ago and was deeply affected by Alzheimers. She was able to meet some of her great grandchildren which she absolutely loved. Grandma was an unbelievable cook and always used fresh eggs from the farm, lard, and real butter. She made food in batches and didn't know how to make small portions. I can still picture, Grandma, a stout lady, standing in her small kitchen with an apron on making some of her German recipes including kuchen, knoephla, spaetzel, among so many other wonderful things. Grandma was the oldest of 12 kids and most her family and friends called her "Lizzy".

My mom married young and had my brother and I. My mom and I have always been not only mother and daughter but also the very best of friends. While growing up she would make many things including clothes, pjs, blankets, knitted items, crocheted items, stitchery, baskets the list could go on and on. Pretty much any craft she did she did it to perfection. Everyone has always said how lucky I was to have all those wonderful handmade things. I didn't quite understand that till I was a Mom myself.

I have since been blessed with 4 wonderful children of my own. Wesley is 8, Gracie is 4 and Natalie and Hailey are 10 month olds twins. My mom now spoils my children terrible with all the wonderful homemade goodies. I love telling people, "My mom made it". My mom has now taught me to craft and sew. I haven't gotten into all her other niches, but I do love to sew. We began collaborating making clothes, hats, aprons, quilts etc. for my children and her other grandchildren. She is the expert seamstress and I guess I'm the creative one.

So it started... a boutique style store, "Lizzy's Biz" featuring aprons, big and small, childrens clothing, personalized items, kids bags/purses, blankets, plus whatever else we may dive into.

So here we go...we can't wait to get started. We just have to decide where to begin. We started on our Etsy site, http://lizzysbiz.etsy.com/ . Now we just have to get all our stuff we are working on there. Please feel free to contact us at anytime for special requests and custom orders.

All I can say, this would make my Grandma smile :)